Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

Elbert County, GA, Franklin County, GA, Habersham County, GA, Hart County, GA, Rabun County, GA, Stephens County, GA, Alexander County, NC, Buncombe County, NC, Burke County, NC, Cabarrus County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Catawba County, NC, Cleveland County, NC, Davie County, NC, Gaston County, NC, Henderson County, NC, Iredell County, NC, Jackson County, NC, Lincoln County, NC, Macon County, NC, McDowell County, NC, Mecklenburg County, NC, Polk County, NC, Rowan County, NC, Rutherford County, NC, Transylvania County, NC, Union County, NC, Abbeville County, SC, Anderson County, SC, Cherokee County, SC, Chester County, SC, Greenville County, SC, Greenwood County, SC, Laurens County, SC, Oconee County, SC, Pickens County, SC, Spartanburg County, SC, Union County, SC, York County, SC

379 
WWUS82 KGSP 220735
RFWGSP

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
335 AM EDT Sat Mar 22 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY ACROSS THE AREA ON
SATURDAY...

Relative humidity values below 20 percent are expected across 
most of the region today. Winds associated with a dry cold front 
will increase and become gusty with gusts from 30 to 35 mph  
across most of the area. Counties along the TN/NC border are not 
included as fuel moisture and relative humidity values are higher
across these locations. 

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-053-056-057-059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-221545-
/O.CON.KGSP.FW.W.0003.250322T1500Z-250323T0000Z/
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-
Davie-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-
Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-
Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-
Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-
Eastern Polk-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-
Greenwood-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-
Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg-
335 AM EDT Sat Mar 22 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ALL
BUT THE COUNTIES ALONG THE TENNESSEE BORDER...

* AFFECTED AREA...Cherokee, York, Rabun, Anderson, Abbeville, 
  Laurens, Union, Chester, Habersham, Stephens, Greenwood, 
  Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Alexander, Iredell, Davie, Buncombe, 
  Catawba, Rowan, Northern Jackson, Macon, Southern Jackson, 
  Transylvania, Henderson, Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, 
  Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Oconee Mountains, Pickens 
  Mountains, Greenville Mountains, Greater Oconee, Greater 
  Pickens, Central Greenville, Southern Greenville, Northern 
  Spartanburg, Southern Spartanburg, Caldwell Mountains, Greater 
  Caldwell, Burke Mountains, Greater Burke, McDowell Mountains, 
  Eastern McDowell, Rutherford Mountains, Greater Rutherford, 
  Polk Mountains and Eastern Polk.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening.

* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* HUMIDITY... 15 to 20 percent

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will develop shortly. A combination 
of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can 
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

167 
WWUS82 KGSP 221439
RFWGSP

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1039 AM EDT Sat Mar 22 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY TODAY...

Relative humidity values below 20 percent are expected across
most of the region today. Winds associated with a dry cold front
will increase and become gusty with gusts from 30 to 35 mph
across most of the area. Counties along the TN/NC border are not
included as fuel moisture and relative humidity values are higher
across these locations.

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-053-056-057-059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-230000-
/O.CON.KGSP.FW.W.0003.250322T1500Z-250323T0000Z/
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-
Davie-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-
Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-
Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-
Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-
Eastern Polk-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-
Greenwood-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-
Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg-
1039 AM EDT Sat Mar 22 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ALL BUT THE COUNTIES ALONG
THE TENNESSEE BORDER...

* AFFECTED AREA...The counties of Cherokee, York, Rabun, 
  Anderson, Abbeville, Laurens, Union SC, Chester, Habersham, 
  Stephens, Greenwood, Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Alexander, Iredell,
  Davie, Buncombe, Catawba, Rowan, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania, 
  Henderson, Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, 
  Union NC, Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Caldwell, 
  Burke, McDowell, Rutherford, and Polk.

* TIMING...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* WINDS...West 12 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 to 45 mph.

* HUMIDITY...15 to 20 percent

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will develop shortly. A combination
of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
Wimberley

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
146 PM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Dangerous fire weather conditions continue through the weekend as
dry air and gusty winds develop each afternoon. Another cold front
crosses the region Monday bringing a chance for rain. Dry air
returns behind the front, with the potential for additional fire
weather issues afterwards.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Key Messages:

1) Increased fire danger for most of the CWA through 8pm tonight.

2) Low humidly and gustier winds Saturday prompt a Red Flag Warning
for most of the CWA from 11am through 8pm.

As of 145 PM EST Friday: Surface high pressure continues to build in
as a weak ridge moving overhead. All precip chances are shunted with
strong subsidence aloft, increasing fire weather danger across the
entire CWA. Cooler temps today with the drier, NW air. A deep layer
of BL mixing is ongoing, dropping RH levels this afternoon into the
high teens and low 20 percent range. Though calmer winds are present
today, an Increased Fire Danger statement is in effect through 8pm
today for most of the CWA. Additionally, smoke from the wildfires in
Polk County prompted an Air Quality Alert in effect through midnight
tomorrow. For Saturday, similar setup as today, but with a weak cold
front approaching the area. This increases wind gusts along with the
already dry air in place. Modeled soundings show a very deep mixing
layer up to the 700mb level, so guidance may have a difficult time
bottoming out the RH values. Given the anticipated higher winds and
very low RH, combined with very dry fuels, a Red Flag Warning will
be in effect for most of the CWA from 11am through 8pm Saturday.
Temperatures today are cooler but quickly rebound tomorrow.
Overnight temps across the mountains hover near freezing.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of midday Fri: Transient high pressure will cross eastern GA
and the Carolinas Saturday night. Cold front will stall across
the area early Sunday and quickly reactivate as a warm front as
sfc/upper trough approach from the west. SW return flow will lead
to a rebound in PBL moisture compared to Saturday, and stronger
subsidence inversion should limit diurnal mixing as well.  However,
temps will be similar to Friday's if not a little warmer across
the Piedmont, and a few degrees warmer over the mountains. So
despite the higher dewpoints, RH will only improve a few percent on
account of the warmer temps and still will be below 30 percent in
many areas. Breezy conditions are expected during the afternoon,
albeit with gust potential limited by the inversion, but wildfire
danger still will be of some consideration particularly in light
of dry fuels.

The cold front associated with the passing trough will cross the
southern Appalachians early Monday and should exit the CWA to the
east by late afternoon. The front will bring PWAT values briefly
near one inch, and guidance develops decent upward vertical
motion with the WAA immediately ahead of the front, even though
dynamic support is not very impressive. A wetting rain of 0.10"
storm total looks likely in the mountains near the TN border,
decreasing toward the east where downslope will be a factor, but
still 50-60%. Temps will fall back a few degrees in the mountains
due to earlier arrival of the front, but the remainder of the area
will remain warm similar to Sunday. Drying dewpoints again can
be expected in the wake of the front, resulting in the mountains
seeing RH values fall below 30 percent during peak heating. Wind
gusts Mon aftn probably will be at least as much as Sunday's;
the only offset to fire wx threat will be if the wetting rain
does materialize. RH probably will not reach critical values in
our southeast zones with drier air not arriving until evening.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 304 AM EDT Friday: Not much change to the forecast thinking
this morning.  By Monday morning, a broad cold front will be located
just west of the forecast area, a narrow ribbon of moisture ahead
of it...but otherwise little going for it.  Its parent low will
be located over the Great Lakes, distant enough that the bulk of
synoptic forcing won't be well-aligned with the frontal circulation.
Consequently, only limited rainfall is expected with this system.
Timing remains in question - with some members of the LREF bringing
it across the area as early as Monday morning, and other, slower
members bringing it across the area as late as Monday night.
Slower solutions keep warm sector air over the forecast area
longer, and present the possibility of some afternoon instability
developing over the southeastern fringe of the CWA and resulting
in a few thunderstorms Monday afternoon.

After that, it's...back to fire weather.  Broad and ill-defined
high pressure will settle across the U.S. Southeast Tuesday and
beyond, with large diurnal temperature swings from above-normal
during the day to near or even a bit below normal during the night.
Deep boundary layer mixing is expected each afternoon, resulting
in, at least, dry afternoon RHs.  Given the less-dynamic nature
of the pattern, however, there won't be as much wind to mix down,
so at the least, afternoons should not be as breezy.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: VFR condtions prevail through the end of the
TAF period as high pressure remains over the area. Winds at KAVL
have continued to diminish and low-end gusts should drop off over
the next few hours. Sites start off NW but will gradually turn SW
through the overnight hours. Another weak cold front crosses
Saturday and by the end of the TAF period, winds start to veer more
westerly. Expect gusts to pick up, especially across the mountain
terminals, with 15-25kts expected at all sites. LLWS is possible at
the KAVL site for a few hours overnight. KCLT should become more
W/NW after 18z. Dry weather is expected and mostly SKC, resulting in
no anticipated vsby/cig restrictions through the period.

Outlook: Dry high pressure and VFR this weekend with gusty winds
returning Saturday. Rain and associated restrictions may return on
Monday with a cold front.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Very dry air remains over the region today as high pressure settles
over the Deep South. RH values below 20 percent are expected across
most of the CWA. Although winds won't be nearly as strong, the dry
fuels and very low RH warrant another Fire Danger Statement across
most of the area through this evening. The only exception are
counties along the TN/NC border as earlier snow showers reduced fire
danger. RH values should also be in the mid to upper 20 percent
range for all but portions of the valleys. Saturday looks similar in
the way of RH values, but with a cold front crossing the area and
increasing winds, fire danger will remain a high concern.

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Increased Fire Danger until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ010-
     017-018-026-028-029.
NC...Increased Fire Danger until 8 PM EDT this evening for
     NCZ035>037-053-056-057-059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
SC...Increased Fire Danger until 8 PM EDT this evening for
     SCZ008>014-019-101>109.

&&

SYNOPSIS...CP
NEAR TERM...CP
SHORT TERM...Wimberley
LONG TERM...MPR
AVIATION...CP
FIRE WEATHER...CP/RWH

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
941 AM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-053-056-057-059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-221345-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-
Davie-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-
Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-
Union-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-
Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-
Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-
Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-
Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg-
941 AM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Increased Fire Danger.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels
will increase fire danger significantly again Saturday afternoon. If
current trends continue, a Red Flag Warning may be needed.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ033-048>052-058-221345-
Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Graham-
941 AM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels
will increase fire danger significantly again Saturday afternoon. If
current trends continue, a Red Flag Warning may be needed.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
156 PM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 AM     Snow             3 W Bryson City         35.43N 83.50W
03/21/2025  M1.1 Inch        Swain              NC   Public

&&

JMP

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
205 PM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 AM     Snow             1 W Little Switzerland  35.85N 82.11W
03/21/2025  M1.0 Inch        Mitchell           NC   Cocorahs

            Snowfall came in two rounds, each producing
            a half-inch accumulation. Total liquid
            equivalent: 0.06 inches.

&&

JMP

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
210 PM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     Snow             7 NNW Banner Elk        36.25N 81.91W
03/21/2025  M1.3 Inch        Avery              NC   Cocorahs

            Liquid equivalent: 0.25in.

&&

JMP

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
218 PM EDT Fri Mar 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0730 AM     Snow             2 N Banner Elk          36.19N 81.87W
03/21/2025  M1.0 Inch        Avery              NC   CO-OP Observer

&&

JMP