Alert archive / Virginia / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 1, NWS Wakefield, VA

March 11, 202146 counties in Virginia

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this red flag warning at Mar 11, 2021, 3:03 AM EST for 46 counties in Virginia. It took effect at Mar 11, 2021, 10:00 AM EST. It was in force for 9 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 11, 2021, 3:03 AM EST (08:03 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 11, 2021, 10:00 AM EST
Expired
Mar 11, 2021, 7:00 PM EST
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA
All 46 counties

Amelia County, VA, Brunswick County, VA, Caroline County, VA, Charles City County, VA, Chesterfield County, VA, City of Chesapeake, VA, City of Colonial Heights, VA, City of Emporia, VA, City of Hampton, VA, City of Hopewell, VA, City of Newport News, VA, City of Petersburg, VA, City of Poquoson, VA, City of Richmond, VA, City of Virginia Beach, VA, City of Williamsburg, VA, Cumberland County, VA, Dinwiddie County, VA, Essex County, VA, Fluvanna County, VA, Gloucester County, VA, Goochland County, VA, Greensville County, VA, Hanover County, VA, Henrico County, VA, James City County, VA, King and Queen County, VA, King William County, VA, Lancaster County, VA, Louisa County, VA, Lunenburg County, VA, Mathews County, VA, Mecklenburg County, VA, Middlesex County, VA, New Kent County, VA, Northumberland County, VA, Nottoway County, VA, Powhatan County, VA, Prince Edward County, VA, Prince George County, VA, Richmond County, VA, Southampton County, VA, Surry County, VA, Sussex County, VA, Westmoreland County, VA, York County, VA

The radar

The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 44 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:04 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 00:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 173 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 00:00Z on 2021-03-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 00:00Z on 2021-03-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 46 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2840 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
94 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

336 
WWUS81 KAKQ 110803
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
303 AM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...Very dry, warm and breezy weather expected today...

VAZ048-060>062-064>069-079>083-087-088-092-509>519-111615-
/O.UPG.KAKQ.FW.A.0001.210311T1500Z-210312T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KAKQ.FW.W.0001.210311T1500Z-210312T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Brunswick-Dinwiddie-
Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Greensville-Sussex-
Southampton-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover-
Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield-
Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)-
Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico-
Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen-
303 AM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST
THIS EVENING FOR central Virginia...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a Red Flag
Warning for central Virginia, which is in effect from 10 AM this 
morning to 7 PM EST this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no 
longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 048 Fluvanna, Fire Weather 
  Zone 060 Prince Edward, Fire Weather Zone 061 Cumberland, Fire 
  Weather Zone 062 Goochland, Fire Weather Zone 064 Caroline, 
  Fire Weather Zone 065 Mecklenburg, Fire Weather Zone 066 
  Lunenburg, Fire Weather Zone 067 Nottoway, Fire Weather Zone 
  068 Amelia, Fire Weather Zone 069 Powhatan, Fire Weather Zone 
  079 Brunswick, Fire Weather Zone 080 Dinwiddie, Fire Weather 
  Zone 081 Prince George, Fire Weather Zone 082 Charles City, 
  Fire Weather Zone 083 New Kent, Fire Weather Zone 087 
  Greensville, Fire Weather Zone 088 Sussex, Fire Weather Zone 
  092 Southampton, Fire Weather Zone 509 Western Louisa, Fire 
  Weather Zone 510 Eastern Louisa, Fire Weather Zone 511 Western 
  Hanover, Fire Weather Zone 512 Eastern Hanover, Fire Weather 
  Zone 513 Western Chesterfield, Fire Weather Zone 514 Eastern 
  Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights), Fire Weather Zone 515 
  Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond), Fire Weather 
  Zone 516 Eastern Henrico, Fire Weather Zone 517 Western King 
  William, Fire Weather Zone 518 Eastern King William and Fire 
  Weather Zone 519 Western King and Queen.

* TIMING...10 am to 7 pm Thursday.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...18 to 23 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...75 to 80. 

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to develop
  today, especially from late morning through the early evening 
  hours. All outdoor burning is discouraged.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited
before 4 pm each day through April 30th.

&&

$$

VAZ075>078-084>086-089-090-093-095>098-520>525-111615-
/O.UPG.KAKQ.FW.A.0001.210311T1500Z-210312T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KAKQ.FW.W.0001.210311T1500Z-210312T0000Z/
Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Gloucester-
Middlesex-Mathews-Surry-James City-Isle of Wight-
Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-
Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-
Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson-
303 AM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST
THIS EVENING FOR eastern Virginia...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a Red Flag
Warning for eastern Virginia, which is in effect from 10 AM this 
morning to 7 PM EST this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no 
longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 075 Westmoreland, Fire 
  Weather Zone 076 Richmond, Fire Weather Zone 077 
  Northumberland, Fire Weather Zone 078 Lancaster, Fire Weather 
  Zone 084 Gloucester, Fire Weather Zone 085 Middlesex, Fire 
  Weather Zone 086 Mathews, Fire Weather Zone 089 Surry, Fire 
  Weather Zone 090 James City, Fire Weather Zone 093 Isle of 
  Wight, Fire Weather Zone 095 Norfolk/Portsmouth, Fire Weather 
  Zone 096 Suffolk, Fire Weather Zone 097 Chesapeake, Fire 
  Weather Zone 098 Virginia Beach, Fire Weather Zone 520 Eastern 
  King and Queen, Fire Weather Zone 521 Western Essex, Fire 
  Weather Zone 522 Eastern Essex, Fire Weather Zone 523 York, 
  Fire Weather Zone 524 Newport News and Fire Weather Zone 525 
  Hampton/Poquoson.

* TIMING...10 am to 7 pm Thursday.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...22 to 30 percent, lowest in areas away from
  the water.

* TEMPERATURES...70 to 75. 

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop Thursday, especially from late morning and early 
  afternoon through the early evening hours. All outdoor burning 
  is discouraged.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited
before 4 pm each day through April 30th.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
022 
WWUS81 KAKQ 111313
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
813 AM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...Very dry, warm and breezy weather expected today...

VAZ048-060>062-064>069-079>083-087-088-092-509>519-112115-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.W.0001.210311T1500Z-210312T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Brunswick-Dinwiddie-
Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Greensville-Sussex-
Southampton-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover-
Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield-
Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)-
Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico-
Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen-
813 AM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING
FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a Red Flag
Warning for central Virginia, which is in effect from 10 AM this 
morning to 7 PM EST this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no 
longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Central Virginia

* TIMING...10 am to 7 pm Thursday.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Around 70 near the immediate coast and 75 to 80
  degrees inland.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop today, especially from late morning through the early 
  evening hours. All outdoor burning is discouraged.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited
before 4 pm each day through April 30th.

&&

$$

VAZ075>078-084>086-089-090-093-095>098-520>525-112115-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.W.0001.210311T1500Z-210312T0000Z/
Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Gloucester-
Middlesex-Mathews-Surry-James City-Isle of Wight-
Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-
Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-
Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson-
813 AM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING
FOR EASTERN VIRGINIA...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a Red Flag
Warning for central Virginia, which is in effect from 10 AM this 
morning to 7 PM EST this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no 
longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Virginia

* TIMING...10 am to 7 pm Thursday.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 22 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the upper 60s.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop Thursday, especially from late morning and early 
  afternoon through the early evening hours. All outdoor burning 
  is discouraged.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited
before 4 pm each day through April 30th.

&&

$$
575 
WWUS81 KAKQ 120014
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
714 PM EST Thu Mar 11 2021


VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092-093-095>098-509>525-120115-
/O.EXP.KAKQ.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210312T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Westmoreland-Richmond-
Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick-Dinwiddie-Prince George-
Charles City-New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews-Greensville-
Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton-Isle of Wight-
Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-
Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover-Eastern Hanover-
Western Chesterfield-
Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)-
Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico-
Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen-
Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-
Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson-
714 PM EST Thu Mar 11 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND 
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA...

Winds have diminished early this evening and relative humidity
values have risen to between 30 and 40 percent and will continue
rising through the remainder of the evening. Therefore, the Red
Flag Warning has been allowed to expire.



$$

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Virginia, 2021Every red flag warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.