Alert archive / Virginia / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Wakefield, VA

April 30, 20219 counties in North Carolina; 44 counties in Virginia

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this red flag warning at Apr 30, 2021, 3:34 AM EDT for 9 counties in North Carolina; 44 counties in Virginia. It took effect at Apr 30, 2021, 10:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 10 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
Apr 30, 2021, 3:34 AM EDT (07:34 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 30, 2021, 10:00 AM EDT
Expired
Apr 30, 2021, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA
All 53 counties

Bertie County, NC, Camden County, NC, Chowan County, NC, Currituck County, NC, Gates County, NC, Hertford County, NC, Northampton County, NC, Pasquotank County, NC, Perquimans County, NC, 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, 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, York County, VA

The radar

The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 21 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:34 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, 7.6 hours before the alert went out and 176 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 2021-04-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 19 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°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 2021-04-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 264 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
19 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-168 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1549 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
66 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
264 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
241 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

566 
WWUS81 KAKQ 300734
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
334 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-301545-
/O.UPG.KAKQ.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210430T2300Z/
/O.NEW.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.210430T1400Z-210430T2300Z/
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-
334 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EDT
THIS EVENING FOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...

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

* AFFECTED AREA...Northeast North Carolina.

* TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to 7 PM this evening.

* WINDS...West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid 70s to near 80.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to develop
  today, especially from 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.

&&

$$

VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092-093-095>100-509>525-301545-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
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-Accomack-
Northampton-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-
334 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT TODAY
THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Central and Eastern Virginia.

* TIMING...From Noon through this evening.

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...20 to 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the 70s.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
070 
WWUS81 KAKQ 301041
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021


VAZ075-077-099-100-301145-
/O.CAN.KAKQ.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Westmoreland-Northumberland-Accomack-Northampton-
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR THE VIRGINIA EASTERN SHORE
AND PORTIONS OF THE VIRGINIA NORTHERN NECK...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has cancelled the Fire
Weather Watch.

However, a statement for Increased Fire Danger will be issued
shortly.

$$

VAZ048-060>062-064>069-076-078>090-092-093-095>098-509>525-301845-
/O.UPG.KAKQ.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
/O.EXB.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Richmond-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-
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a Red Flag
Warning for Central and Eastern Virginia, which is in effect from
noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no
longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Central and Eastern Virginia.

* TIMING...From Noon through 8 PM this evening.

* WINDS...West to northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 to 
  40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...20 to 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the 70s.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop today, especially from 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.

&&

$$

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-301845-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.210430T1400Z-210430T2300Z/
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EDT
THIS EVENING FOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Northeast North Carolina.

* TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to 7 PM this evening.

* WINDS...West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up of 30 to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid 70s to near 80.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop today, especially from 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.

&&

$$
880 
WWUS81 KAKQ 301941
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
341 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021


VAZ048-060>062-064>069-076-078>090-092-093-095>098-509>525-010000-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210501T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Richmond-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-
341 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Central and Eastern Virginia 

* TIMING...Through 8 PM this evening.

* WINDS...West to northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 to 
  40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...20 to 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the 70s.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop today, especially from 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.

&&

$$

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-302300-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210430T2300Z/
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-
341 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Northeast North Carolina. 

* TIMING...Through 7 PM this evening.

* WINDS...West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up of 30 to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid 70s to near 80.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop today, especially from 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.

&&

$$
181 
WWUS81 KAKQ 302254
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
654 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-010000-
/O.EXP.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210430T2300Z/
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-
654 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...

$$

VAZ048-060>062-064>069-076-078>090-092-093-095>098-509>525-010000-
/O.CON.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210501T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Richmond-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-
654 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...

* AFFECTED AREA...CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA. 

* TIMING...Through 8 PM this evening.

* WINDS...West to northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 to 
  40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...20 to 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the 70s.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are likely to 
  develop today, especially from 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.

&&

$$
255 
WWUS81 KAKQ 302354
RFWAKQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
754 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

VAZ048-060>062-064>069-076-078>090-092-093-095>098-509>525-010100-
/O.EXP.KAKQ.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210501T0000Z/
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Richmond-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-
754 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wakefield, VA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 30, 12:48 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQEssex, Westmoreland42 min
Apr 30, 1:57 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ63 min
Apr 30, 2:12 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ78 min
Apr 30, 2:29 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCharles City, Gloucester, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent and 3 more61 min
Apr 30, 2:31 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ59 min
Apr 30, 2:33 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ87 min
Apr 30, 2:50 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ55 min
Apr 30, 3:44 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ76 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Virginia, 2021Red Flag Warnings in North Carolina, 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.