Alert archive / Alaska / Red Flag Warnings in 2022

Red Flag Warning 2, NWS Fairbanks, AK

May 26, 2022

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this red flag warning at May 26, 2022, 9:06 AM AKDT. It took effect at May 26, 2022, 12:00 PM AKDT. 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
May 26, 2022, 9:06 AM AKDT (17:06 UTC)
In effect from
May 26, 2022, 12:00 PM AKDT
Expired
May 26, 2022, 9:34 PM AKDT
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

290 
WWAK63 PAFG 261706
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
906 AM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

......RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221,
222 AND 223 FROM DELTA JUNCTION AND FT YUKON WEST FROM NOON 
TO 10 PM TODAY...

.DISCUSSION...High pressure aloft building over the West Coast
and Interior of Alaska will cause a warming trend through the
weekend over Interior Alaska, with highs in the 60s and lower 70s
rising into the 70s over the weekend.  The current dry conditions
will remain through Fri, with a slight increase in moisture over
the weekend as evaporating moisture builds up under the high aloft. 

A thermal low pressure trough stretching from Northway to 
Ft Yukon to Ambler will intensify today, then weaken in place 
Fri and Sat. This will cause west winds of 15 mph with gusts to 
25 mph in the afternoon and evening today, with winds decreasing Fri.
Given the dry fuels and warm, dry conditions, these winds will 
cause Red Flag Conditions from Delta Junction west today.

AKZ220>223-270115-
/O.NEW.PAFG.FW.W.0002.220526T2000Z-220527T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-Central Interior-
Middle Tanana Valley-Deltana and Tanana Flats-
906 AM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...CENTRAL
INTERIOR...MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY AND DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon today to 10 PM AKDT this
evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Interior Alaska from Delta Junction and Ft Yukon west.

* TIMING...Noon to 10 PM today

* WINDS...West 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low at 17 to 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...65 to 77.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
321 
WWAK63 PAFG 262309
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
309 PM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

......RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221,
222 AND 223 FROM DELTA JUNCTION AND FT YUKON WEST FROM NOON TO
10 PM TODAY...

.DISCUSSION...
High pressure aloft building over the West Coast
and Interior of Alaska will cause a warming trend through the
weekend over Interior Alaska, with highs in the 60s and lower 70s
rising into the 70s over the weekend.  The current dry conditions
will remain through Fri, with a slight increase in moisture over
the weekend as evaporating moisture builds up under the high
aloft.

A thermal low pressure trough stretching from Glennallen to 
Northway to Ft Yukon to Buckland will intensify today, then weaken
in place tonight and remain weak through Sat. This is causing 
west winds of 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph this afternoon and 
evening over the Interior south of the Yukon River, with winds 
decreasing late tonight as the trough weakens. Given the dry fuels
and warm, dry conditions, these winds will cause Red Flag 
conditions from Ft Yukon and Delta Junction west through 10 PM 
today. The winds will decrease late tonight as the temps cool and 
the thermal trough weakens, and remain less than 15 mph through 
the weekend.


AKZ220>223-270600-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220527T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-Central Interior-
Middle Tanana Valley-Deltana and Tanana Flats-
309 PM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...CENTRAL
INTERIOR...MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY AND DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Interior Alaska from Delta Junction and Ft 
  Yukon west.

* TIMING...Noon to 10 PM today

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

* HUMIDITY...As low as 22 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...58 to 74.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$
305 
WWAK63 PAFG 270534
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
934 PM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

AKZ220>223-270645-
/O.CAN.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220527T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-Central Interior-
Middle Tanana Valley-Deltana and Tanana Flats-
934 PM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING
UPLANDS...CENTRAL INTERIOR...MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY AND DELTANA AND
TANANA FLATS...

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


$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at May 26, 4:24 AM AKDT, 4 hours 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 26, 4:24 AM AKDT, 4 hours 42 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
424 AM AKDT Thu May 26 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Across the Interior today, many places will see highs climb into
the lower 70s with west winds bumping up this afternoon through
this evening, gusting 15 to 20 mph. Cooler conditions hold on
along the coast, where the West Coast will see highs topping out
in the lower to mid 40s and lower 30s for the Arctic Coast. A weak
front will slide east across the North Slope today, bringing
cloudy skies and increased chances of precipitation. Isolated
thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into this evening across
the Upper Tanana Valley, primarily east of Tok.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Upper Levels and Analysis...
The current pattern at 500 hpa consists of an upper level ridge
across the Bering stretching east to the Eastern Interior,
centered around a 558 decameter (dam) high west of Scammon Bay,
while a trough digs south into the North Slope from a 506 dam low
over the High Arctic. Over the next several days, ridging will
continue to build and dominate weather conditions across much of
the Interior, south of the Brooks Range, keeping most locations
dry and warm. While along the North Slope, a weak shortwave slides
east across the region today into tonight with additional weak
energy Friday, keeping chances of precipitation in the forecast.
The thunderstorm threat will be confined primarily east and
southeast of Tok this afternoon into this evening and again
Friday.

Model Discussion...
The models are in general good agreement on the evolution of
features on the synoptic scale over the next several days, with a
consensus of a ridge across much of the Mainland, south of the
Brooks Range, while weak troughing holds on across the Arctic
today into Saturday. For this morning's forecast package, we went
with a general blend of model solutions, making minor changes to
the inherited grids.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
A weak weather front will dive south and slide east across the
region today into tonight; bringing increased westerly winds 10
to 20 mph, cloudy skies, and chances of liquid precipitation. Snow
chances, with no accumulations expected, will primarily be
confined to immediate coast. Additional weak energy will bring
another round of precipitation Friday. High temperatures today
into Saturday will climb into the lower to mid 30s along the
Arctic Coast and into the upper 30s to lower/mid 40s across the
Arctic Plain.

West Coast and Western Interior...
Quiet conditions are in store today through Saturday as high
pressure builds across the region. Low ceilings and fog will be
prevalent over the Bering and may impact portions of the West
Coast over the next several nights/mornings, from the Bering
Strait south to the Yukon Delta. Otherwise, skies will remain
clear across the Western Interior into Saturday. The strongest
winds will occur through the Bering Strait, with southwesterly
winds 15 to 25 mph today through Friday. High temperatures today
into the weekend will top out in the mid 30s to lower/mid 40s
along the immediate coast, while highs climb into the mid to upper
60s to lower 70s across the Western Interior.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Some clouds will hold on across the Central and Eastern Interior
for most of today, expect decreasing cloudiness this afternoon
heading into the weekend as high pressure builds. Westerly winds
will bump up this afternoon into the early evening hours across
the Central Interior, gusting 15 to 20 mph, easing by Friday. High
temperatures today in the mid 60s to low 70s with lows dipping
down into the mid 30s to mid 40s. Gradual warming heading into the
weekend, with high climbing into the mid 70s for many locations
and lows in the mid 40s. Isolated thunderstorm activity will be
minimal this afternoon and again Friday, confined to the Upper
Tanana Valley, primarily east and southeast of Tok.

Coastal Hazard Potential for Days 3 and 4...
No concerns at this time.

Extended Forecast for Days 4 through 7...
Beginning the extended period Sunday, model solutions have upper
level ridging dominating across the Mainland, south of the Brooks
Range, while troughing hangs on over the Arctic. This will
continue through most of the extended period, bringing continued
warm and dry conditions to much of the Interior and chances of
precipitation confined to the North Slope. Model solutions on the
tail end of the extended period show a possible change in the
synoptic pattern, with an active weather pattern returning to
most of Northern Alaska. Stay tuned to the forecast for continued
updates.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
The West Coast east into the Interior will warm and remain dry
under high pressure as it builds aloft through the weekend.
Highs topping out in the 60s to lower 70s today, climbing into the
mid 70s for many Interior locations over the weekend. Dry
conditions south of the Brooks Range will continue today through
Saturday, with many locations across the Western and Central
Interior seeing minimum RH values bottoming out to the mid to
lower 20s. West winds gusting 15 to 20 mph this afternoon into the
evening will ease Friday. Isolated thunderstorms are possible
this afternoon and again Friday, confined to the Upper Tanana
Valley, primarily east and southeast of Tok.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
A Flood Advisory continues for the Innoko River near Shageluk,
where flooding of some roads continues. Temperatures warming into
the weekend, along with rising freezing levels, this will
accelerate the high elevation snowmelt. With most rivers and
streams now open, expect the rivers to remain at elevated levels
for the remainder of the week, with many rivers likely rising over
the weekend. For the latest river information go to
www.weather.gov/aprfc.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

None.

&&

RZ MAY 22

The office that day

Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 26, 9:19 AM AKDTRed Flag WarningAFG12 hr
May 26, 2:48 PM AKDTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG24 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Alaska, 2022Every red flag warning in 2022

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.