Alert archive / California / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA

July 17, 20215 counties in California

NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA issued this red flag warning at Jul 17, 2021, 1:47 PM PDT for 5 counties in California. It took effect at Jul 18, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 16 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
Jul 17, 2021, 1:47 PM PDT (20:47 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 18, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT
Expired
Jul 19, 2021, 3:02 AM PDT
In force
16 hr
Issued by
NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Counties Monterey County, CA, San Benito County, CA, San Mateo County, CA, Santa Clara County, CA, Santa Cruz County, CA

The radar

The San Francisco radar (KMUX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:46 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

Oakland, CA (KOAK), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 102 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, Oakland, CA at 12:00Z on 2021-07-17Temperature 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°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Oakland, CA at 12:00Z on 2021-07-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 10 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1509 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
10 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
50 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

160 
WWUS86 KMTR 172047
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
147 PM PDT Sat Jul 17 2021

...Dry lightning potential Sunday into Monday...

.Upper level moisture will increase over the region Sunday
morning through Monday morning from the south. The upper level
moisture will accompany upper level instability increasing
chances for thunderstorm activity. Thunderstorms will be a mix of
dry and wet, but given how dry the fuels are any lightning
strikes will be problematic. The threat for thunderstorms
diminishes Monday afternoon as the moisture moves northward.

CAZ517-518-180500-
/O.UPG.KMTR.FW.A.0002.210718T1800Z-210719T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210718T1800Z-210720T0000Z/
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
147 PM PDT Sat Jul 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SUNDAY TO 5 PM PDT
MONDAY FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 517 AND 518...

The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Red
Flag Warning for dry lightning, which is in effect from 11 AM 
Sunday to 5 PM PDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in 
effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 517 Santa Lucia Mountains 
  and Los Padres National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 518 
  Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County 
  Including Pinnacles National Park.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be
  possible Sunday afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ507-511-512-180500-
/O.UPG.KMTR.FW.A.0002.210719T0000Z-210719T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210719T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
147 PM PDT Sat Jul 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM SUNDAY TO 5 PM PDT MONDAY
FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 507
511 AND 512...

The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Red
Flag Warning for lightning, which is in effect from 5 PM Sunday 
to 5 PM PDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 507 North Bay Mountains, 
  Fire Weather Zone 511 East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range and 
  Fire Weather Zone 512 Santa Cruz Mountains.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated dry thunderstorms will be possible Sunday
  afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of starting
  new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$
5 follow-up statements
482 
WWUS86 KMTR 180357
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
857 PM PDT Sat Jul 17 2021

...Dry lightning potential Sunday into Monday...

.Upper level moisture will increase over the region Sunday
morning through Monday morning from the south. The upper level
moisture will accompany upper level instability increasing
chances for thunderstorm activity. Thunderstorms will be a mix of
dry and wet, but given how dry the fuels are any lightning
strikes will be problematic. The threat for thunderstorms
diminishes Monday afternoon as the moisture moves northward.

CAZ517-518-181300-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210718T1800Z-210720T0000Z/
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
857 PM PDT Sat Jul 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SUNDAY TO 5 PM PDT
MONDAY FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 517 AND 518...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 517 Santa Lucia Mountains 
  and Los Padres National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 518 
  Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County 
  Including Pinnacles National Park.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon 
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be 
  possible Sunday afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ507-511-512-181300-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210719T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
857 PM PDT Sat Jul 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM SUNDAY TO 5 PM PDT MONDAY
FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 507
511 AND 512...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 507 North Bay Mountains, 
  Fire Weather Zone 511 East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range and 
  Fire Weather Zone 512 Santa Cruz Mountains.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon 
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated dry thunderstorms will be possible Sunday 
  afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$
874 
WWUS86 KMTR 181245
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
545 AM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...Dry lightning potential Sunday into Monday...

.Upper level moisture will increase over the region today 
into Monday from south to north. This moisture will accompany 
upper level instability increasing chances for thunderstorm 
activity. Thunderstorms will be a mix of dry and wet, but given 
how dry the fuels are any lightning strikes will be problematic. 
The threat for thunderstorms diminishes Monday afternoon as the 
moisture moves northward.

CAZ517-518-182045-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210718T1800Z-210720T0000Z/
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
545 AM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
5 PM PDT MONDAY FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 517 AND 518...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 517 Santa Lucia Mountains 
  and Los Padres National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 518 
  Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County 
  Including Pinnacles National Park.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon 
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be 
  possible Sunday afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ507-511-512-182045-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210719T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
545 AM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
5 PM PDT MONDAY FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 507 511 AND 512...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 507 North Bay Mountains, 
  Fire Weather Zone 511 East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range and 
  Fire Weather Zone 512 Santa Cruz Mountains.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon 
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated dry thunderstorms will be possible Sunday 
  afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$
278 
WWUS86 KMTR 182022
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
122 PM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...Dry lightning potential Sunday into Monday...

.Upper level moisture will continue to increase over the region 
today into Monday from south to north. This moisture will 
accompany upper level instability increasing chances for 
thunderstorm activity. Thunderstorms will be a mix of dry and wet,
but given how dry the fuels are any lightning strikes will be 
problematic. The threat for thunderstorms diminishes Monday 
afternoon as the moisture moves northward.

CAZ517-518-190500-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
122 PM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT MONDAY FOR
DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 517 AND
518...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 517 Santa Lucia Mountains 
  and Los Padres National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 518 
  Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County 
  Including Pinnacles National Park.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday afternoon 
  through early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be 
  possible Sunday afternoon through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ507-511-512-190500-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.210719T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
122 PM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
5 PM PDT MONDAY FOR DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 507 511 AND 512...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 507 North Bay Mountains, 
  Fire Weather Zone 511 East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range and 
  Fire Weather Zone 512 Santa Cruz Mountains.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely Sunday night through 
  early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated dry thunderstorms will be possible Sunday
  night through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$
203 
WWUS86 KMTR 190432
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
932 PM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...Dry lightning potential overnight into Monday...

.Upper level moisture will continue to increase over the region
overnight into Monday from south to north. This moisture will 
accompany upper level instability increasing chances for 
thunderstorm activity. Thunderstorms will be a mix of dry and wet,
but given how dry the fuels are any lightning strikes will be 
problematic. The threat for thunderstorms diminishes late Monday 
as the moisture exits northeastward.

CAZ517-518-191300-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
932 PM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT MONDAY FOR
DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 517 AND
518...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 517 Santa Lucia Mountains 
  and Los Padres National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 518 
  Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County 
  Including Pinnacles National Park.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most likely overnight through 
  early Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be
  possible overnight through early Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ507-511-512-191300-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
932 PM PDT Sun Jul 18 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT MONDAY FOR
DRY LIGHTNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES
507 511 AND 512...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 507 North Bay Mountains, 
  Fire Weather Zone 511 East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range and 
  Fire Weather Zone 512 Santa Cruz Mountains.

* WIND...Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty 
  and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.

* TIMING...Thunderstorm threat most late overnight night through  
  Monday afternoon.

* LIGHTNING...Isolated dry thunderstorms will be overnight through  
  Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any 
  cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of 
  starting new wildfires.

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.

&&

$$
804 
WWUS86 KMTR 191002
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
302 AM PDT Mon Jul 19 2021


CAZ507-511-512-517-518-191115-
/O.CAN.KMTR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210720T0000Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
302 AM PDT Mon Jul 19 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR DRY LIGHTNING...

The National Weather Service in San Francisco has cancelled the
Red Flag Warning.

Convection no longer looks favorable for the region so have
cancelled the Red Flag Warning in coordination with neighboring
NWS Forecast Offices.

$$

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in California, 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.