Alert archive / Virginia / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 30, 20216 counties in North Carolina; 11 counties in Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this red flag warning at Apr 30, 2021, 6:41 AM EDT for 6 counties in North Carolina; 11 counties in Virginia. It took effect at Apr 30, 2021, 12:00 PM EDT. It was in force for 8 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, 6:41 AM EDT (10:41 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 30, 2021, 12:00 PM EDT
Expired
Apr 30, 2021, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA

Counties Caswell County, NC, Rockingham County, NC, Stokes County, NC, Surry County, NC, Wilkes County, NC, Yadkin County, NC, Bedford County, VA, Campbell County, VA, Charlotte County, VA, City of Danville, VA, City of Lynchburg, VA, City of Martinsville, VA, Franklin County, VA, Halifax County, VA, Henry County, VA, Patrick County, VA, Pittsylvania County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 57 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:43 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

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 59 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, Roanoke, VA at 00:00Z on 2021-04-30Temperature 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, Roanoke, VA at 00:00Z on 2021-04-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 171 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1225 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
171 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
216 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

506 
WWUS81 KRNK 301041
RFWRNK

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

...WINDY AND DRY TODAY...

.West to northwest winds will gust over 30 mph today while 
humidity levels drop into the 20s. This may make for difficult 
wildfire control.

NCZ019-VAZ035-046-047-301145-
/O.CAN.KRNK.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Wilkes-Amherst-Appomattox-Buckingham-
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR THE VIRGINIA FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT...

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

Rain overnight has moistened fuels so the threat of uncontrolled
fires has lessened. 

$$

VAZ032>034-043>045-058-059-301845-
/O.UPG.KRNK.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KRNK.FW.W.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Halifax-
Charlotte-
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND 
PIEDMONT OF VIRGINIA...

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch
is no longer in effect.

* Affected Area...In Virginia, Fire Weather Zone 032 Patrick, 
  Fire Weather Zone 033 Franklin, Fire Weather Zone 034 Bedford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 043 Henry, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Pittsylvania, Fire Weather Zone 045 Campbell, Fire Weather 
  Zone 058 Halifax and Fire Weather Zone 059 Charlotte.

* Winds...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 25 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

NCZ003>006-020-301845-
/O.UPG.KRNK.FW.A.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KRNK.FW.W.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin-
641 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND
PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA...

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch
is no longer in effect.

* Affected Area...In North Carolina, Fire Weather Zone 003 
  Surry, Fire Weather Zone 004 Stokes, Fire Weather Zone 005 
  Rockingham, Fire Weather Zone 006 Caswell and Fire Weather 
  Zone 020 Yadkin.

* Winds...Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 25 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

For more information from NOAA/National Weather Service visit...
http://www.weather.gov/rnk/fire (all lower case)
3 follow-up statements
538 
WWUS81 KRNK 301248
RFWRNK

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
848 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...WINDY AND DRY TODAY...

.West to northwest winds will gust over 30 mph today while
humidity levels drop into the 20s. This may make for difficult
wildfire control.

NCZ019-302100-
/O.EXA.KRNK.FW.W.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Wilkes-
848 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WILKES COUNTY...

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening.

* Affected Area...In North Carolina, Fire Weather Zone 019 
  Wilkes.

* Winds...Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 25 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

VAZ032>034-043>045-058-059-302100-
/O.CON.KRNK.FW.W.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Halifax-
Charlotte-
848 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS
AND PIEDMONT OF VIRGINIA...

* Affected Area...In Virginia, Fire Weather Zone 032 Patrick, 
  Fire Weather Zone 033 Franklin, Fire Weather Zone 034 Bedford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 043 Henry, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Pittsylvania, Fire Weather Zone 045 Campbell, Fire Weather 
  Zone 058 Halifax and Fire Weather Zone 059 Charlotte.

* Winds...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 24 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

NCZ003>006-020-302100-
/O.CON.KRNK.FW.W.0003.210430T1600Z-210501T0000Z/
Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin-
848 AM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS
AND PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA...

* Affected Area...In North Carolina, Fire Weather Zone 003 
  Surry, Fire Weather Zone 004 Stokes, Fire Weather Zone 005 
  Rockingham, Fire Weather Zone 006 Caswell and Fire Weather 
  Zone 020 Yadkin.

* Winds...Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 24 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

For more information from NOAA/National Weather Service visit...
http://www.weather.gov/rnk/fire (all lower case)
508 
WWUS81 KRNK 301819
RFWRNK

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
219 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...WINDY AND DRY THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY EVENING...

.West to northwest winds will gust over 30 mph through early
evening while humidity levels drop into the 20s. This may make 
for difficult wildfire control.

VAZ032>034-043>045-058-059-010000-
/O.CON.KRNK.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210501T0000Z/
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Halifax-
Charlotte-
219 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT
OF VIRGINIA...

* Affected Area...In Virginia, Fire Weather Zone 032 Patrick, 
  Fire Weather Zone 033 Franklin, Fire Weather Zone 034 Bedford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 043 Henry, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Pittsylvania, Fire Weather Zone 045 Campbell, Fire Weather 
  Zone 058 Halifax and Fire Weather Zone 059 Charlotte.

* Winds...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 24 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

NCZ003>006-019-020-010000-
/O.CON.KRNK.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210501T0000Z/
Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-
219 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA
FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT...

* Affected Area...In North Carolina, Fire Weather Zone 003 
  Surry, Fire Weather Zone 004 Stokes, Fire Weather Zone 005 
  Rockingham, Fire Weather Zone 006 Caswell, Fire Weather Zone 
  019 Wilkes and Fire Weather Zone 020 Yadkin.

* Winds...Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 24 percent.

* Impacts...Any outdoor fire may easily grow out of control with 
  these conditions.

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.

&&

$$

For more information from NOAA/National Weather Service visit...
http://www.weather.gov/rnk/fire (all lower case)
153 
WWUS81 KRNK 010028
RFWRNK

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
828 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ032>034-043>045-058-059-010130-
/O.EXP.KRNK.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210501T0000Z/
Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Patrick-Franklin-
Bedford-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Halifax-Charlotte-
828 PM EDT Fri Apr 30 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR VIRGINIA PIEDMONT AND
FOOTHILLS...

Winds will continue to slowly diminish overnight and relative
humidity values will increase into the 60-70% range by morning.
Thus the threat for wild fires will decrease overnight. Thus, the
Red Flag Warning has expired.

For more information from NOAA/National Weather Service visit...
http://www.weather.gov/rnk/fire (all lower case)

$$

RAB

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.