Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 5, NWS Tucson, AZ

March 22, 20216 counties in Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this red flag warning at Mar 22, 2021, 2:27 AM MST for 6 counties in Arizona. It took effect at Mar 22, 2021, 10:00 AM MST. 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
Mar 22, 2021, 2:27 AM MST (09:27 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 22, 2021, 10:00 AM MST
Expired
Mar 22, 2021, 6:00 PM MST
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ

Counties Cochise County, AZ, Graham County, AZ, Greenlee County, AZ, Pima County, AZ, Pinal County, AZ, Santa Cruz County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:26 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

Tuscon, AZ (KTUS), launched 00:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 49 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, Tuscon, AZ at 00:00Z on 2021-03-22Temperature 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, Tuscon, AZ at 00:00Z on 2021-03-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -8 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
4143 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
60 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-8 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
97 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

876 
WWUS85 KTWC 220927
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
227 AM MST Mon Mar 22 2021

...POTENTIAL FOR STRONG WINDS TODAY AND TUESDAY...

.There is potential for strong and gusty winds to develop later 
this morning on the backside of a departing storm system. This 
potential exists east of I-19 and roughly south of I-10 and given
the very dry air mass in place, critical fire weather conditions 
will occur if the wind fully materializes. Therefore a Red Flag 
Warning has been issued for today for that potential. Strong winds
are again expected Tuesday as another strong weather system 
approaches the region. At this time winds are expected to reach 
critical levels across the area, however an increase in moisture 
and the potential for showers later in the day may limit the 
extent of critical conditions. Due to the uncertainty at this time
the Tuesday Fire Weather Watch remains unchanged. 

AZZ151-152-154-221730-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FW.W.0005.210322T1700Z-210323T0100Z/
/O.CON.KTWC.FW.A.0004.210323T1900Z-210324T0200Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 154
Forest Woodlands FDRA including the Sky Islands of Southeast
Arizona above 5500 feet-Coronado NF-TDC-
227 AM MST Mon Mar 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MST
THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND A HIGH FIRE 
DANGER RATING FOR SOUTHERN PARTS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152, 
AND 154... 
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON 
THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR THE POTENTIAL OF STRONG WINDS, LOW 
HUMIDITY, AND A VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER RATING FOR SOUTHERN PARTS OF
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152, AND 154...

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM MST
this evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...For today's Red Flag Warning, fire weather zones
  151, 152 and 154 along and south of I-10 and east of I-19. For
  Tuesday's watch, the southern parts of fire weather zones 151,
  152 and 154. 

* TIMING...10 AM until 6 PM for today's Red Flag Warning. Fire 
  Weather Watch Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

* WINDS...Potential today for west winds of 20 to 30 mph with
  local gusts up to 45 mph in the warning area. For Tuesday 
  westerly winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum RH 6 to 11 percent today and 10 to 
  15 percent Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the 
  potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit 
  weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
may occur during the watch period. Listen for later forecasts and
possible Red Flag Warnings.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A
combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry
vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire
growth.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona.

&&

$$

Cerniglia
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
2 follow-up statements
494 
WWUS85 KTWC 222050
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
150 PM MST Mon Mar 22 2021

AZZ151-152-154-230100-
/O.UPG.KTWC.FW.A.0004.210323T1900Z-210324T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KTWC.FW.W.0006.210323T1900Z-210324T0100Z/
/O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210323T0100Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 154
Forest Woodlands FDRA including the Sky Islands of Southeast
Arizona above 5500 feet-Coronado NF-TDC-
150 PM MST Mon Mar 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER RATING FOR
SOUTHERN PARTS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152, AND 154... 

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MST TUESDAY FOR
STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER RATING FOR 
PARTS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152, AND 154... 

The National Weather Service in Tucson has upgraded the Fire
Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday from noon until 
6 PM MST that evening. Otherwise, the current Red Flag Warning 
remains in effect until 6 PM MST this evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of Fire weather zones 151...152...and 
  154.
 
* TIMING...Through 6 PM MST this evening and again from noon 
  until 6 PM MST on Tuesday.

* WINDS...Westerly 20-foot winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 
  mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum RH 10 to 15 percent 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the 
  potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit 
  weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A
combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry
vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire
growth.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona.

&&

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
830 
WWUS85 KTWC 230105
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
605 PM MST Mon Mar 22 2021

AZZ151-152-154-231100-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210323T0100Z/
/O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0006.210323T1900Z-210324T0100Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 154
Forest Woodlands FDRA including the Sky Islands of Southeast
Arizona above 5500 feet-Coronado NF-TDC-
605 PM MST Mon Mar 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MST
TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER
RATING FOR SOUTHERN PARTS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152, AND
154...
...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY,
AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER RATING FOR SOUTHERN PARTS OF FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 151, 152, AND 154...

The National Weather Service in Tucson has upgraded the Fire
Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday from noon until
6 PM MST that evening. Otherwise, the Red Flag Warning that was in
effect today expired at 6 PM MST this evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of Fire weather zones 151...152... 
  and 154. 

* TIMING...Noon until 6 PM MST on Tuesday.

* WINDS...Westerly 20-foot winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45
  mph. Localized gust to 55 mph are possible.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum RH 10 to 15 percent

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the 
  potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit 
  weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A
combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry
vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire
growth.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona.

&&

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tucson, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 22, 1:50 PM MSTRed Flag WarningTWCCochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz28 hr
Mar 22, 1:52 PM MSTWind AdvisoryTWCCochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz28 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 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.