Red Flag Warning 6, NWS Tallahassee, FL

Calhoun County, FL, Gadsden County, FL, Jefferson County, FL, Leon County, FL, Liberty County, FL, Madison County, FL, Wakulla County, FL, Ben Hill County, GA, Berrien County, GA, Brooks County, GA, Colquitt County, GA, Cook County, GA, Decatur County, GA, Dougherty County, GA, Grady County, GA, Irwin County, GA, Lanier County, GA, Lowndes County, GA, Mitchell County, GA, Thomas County, GA, Tift County, GA, Turner County, GA, Worth County, GA

825 
WWUS82 KTAE 181806
RFWTAE

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...Critical Fire Weather through Monday...

A cold frontal passage on Sunday morning will be followed on 
Sunday afternoon by northerly winds gusting around 25 mph, and RH 
will be dropping in the afternoon as a drier air mass arrives. 
Lingering cloud cover will be the main inhibitor to active fire 
behavior on Sunday, but critical conditions remain possible Sunday
afternoon. With dry air continuing to filter in on Sunday night, 
there will be poor nighttime humidity recovery.

On Monday, the heart of the dry air mass will be in place, with 
minimum relative humidities commonly in the 15-20 percent range. 
Sustained northeast winds will be near 10 to 15 mph and support 
extremely high dispersion. Full sunshine, seasonably warm late 
April temperatures, and ongoing drought will all contribute to a 
critical fire environment. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect 
for Monday where winds are currently forecast to touch 15 mph. The
watch could be expanded in later forecast updates.

FLZ013-326-426-GAZ156-190730-
/O.CAN.KTAE.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260419T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.A.0004.260420T1500Z-260421T0000Z/
Calhoun-Northern Liberty-Southern Liberty-Decatur-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026 /106 PM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026/

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR
CALHOUN, LIBERTY AND DECATUR COUNTIES... 

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THIS AFTERNOON IS CANCELLED...

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has cancelled the Red
Flag Warning for the rest of this afternoon over Calhoun, Liberty,
and Decatur Counties. Relative humidity this afternoon will not
get as low as originally forecast. 

A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Monday morning 
through Monday evening for gusty winds and low humidity.

* AFFECTED AREA...Florida fire weather zones 013, 326, and 426.
  Georgia fire weather zone 156.

* WIND...On Monday, northeast winds near 15 mph, with gusts 
  around 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...On Monday, 15-20 percent, following poor humidity
  recovery on Sunday night.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

GAZ125-190730-
/O.CAN.KTAE.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260419T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KTAE.FW.A.0005.260419T1800Z-260420T0000Z/
Dougherty-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR DOUGHERTY
COUNTY...

...RED FLAG WARNING THIS AFTERNOON IS CANCELLED...

Relative humidity this afternoon will not get as low as originally
forecast over Dougherty County. Therefore, the Red Flag Warning
that was in effect this afternoon is being cancelled early.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Fire
Weather Watch, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through
Sunday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Georgia fire weather zones 125. 

* WIND...North wind near 15 mph, with gusts near 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity of 24-26 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

GAZ145-146-190730-
/O.NEW.KTAE.FW.A.0005.260419T1800Z-260420T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260419T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.A.0004.260420T1500Z-260421T0000Z/
Mitchell-Colquitt-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR MODERATE BREEZES AND LOW
HUMIDITY...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON 
THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR
MITCHELL AND COLQUITT COUNTIES...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING 
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR GUSTY
WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Fire
Weather Watch, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through
Sunday evening. 

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ 
this evening. 

A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Monday morning 
through Monday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Georgia fire weather zones 145 and 146. 

* WIND...This afternoon, southwest 10-15 mph, with gusts near 20 
  mph. On Sunday, north wind near 15 mph, with gusts around 25 
  mph. On Monday, northeast winds near 15 mph, with gusts around 
  25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...This afternoon, 30-35 percent. On Sunday, 24-26
  percent. On Monday, 17-19 percent, following poor humidity
  recovery on Sunday night.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

FLZ016>019-027-GAZ147-157>160-190730-
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260419T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.A.0004.260420T1500Z-260421T0000Z/
Gadsden-Leon-Inland Jefferson-Madison-Inland Wakulla-Cook-Grady-
Thomas-Brooks-Lowndes-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR PARTS OF THE INLAND FLORIDA
BIG BEND REGION...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING 
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE
FLORIDA BIG BEND REGION...

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ 
this evening.

A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Monday morning 
through Monday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Florida fire weather zones 016, 017, 018, ,019,
  and 027. Georgia fire weather zones 147, 157, 158, 159, and 
  160. 

* WIND...This afternoon...southwest 10-15 mph, with gusts near 20
  mph. On Monday, northeast winds near 15 mph, with gusts around 
  25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...This afternoon, 30-35 percent. On Monday, 15-20
  percent, following poor humidity recovery on Sunday night.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

GAZ127>129-190730-
/O.NEW.KTAE.FW.A.0005.260419T1800Z-260420T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260419T0000Z/
Worth-Turner-Tift-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR WORTH, TURNER AND TIFT
COUNTIES... 

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 8 PM EDT this evening.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Fire
Weather Watch, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through
Sunday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Georgia fire weather zones 127, 128, and 129. 

* WIND...This afternoon Southwest 10-15 mph, with gusts near 20 
  mph. Sunday, north near 15 mph, with gusts near 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...This afternoon, 26-30 percent. Sunday, 24-28 
  percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

GAZ130-131-148-161-190000-
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260419T0000Z/
Ben Hill-Irwin-Berrien-Lanier-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR Ben Hill, Irwin, Berrien, and
Lanier Counties...

* AFFECTED AREA...Georgia fire weather zones 130, 131, 148, and
  161. 

* WIND...Southwest 10-15 mph, with gusts near 20 mph.

* HUMIDITY...25-30 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

&&

$$

GAZ144-190730-
/O.NEW.KTAE.FW.A.0005.260419T1800Z-260420T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.A.0004.260420T1500Z-260421T0000Z/
Baker-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR BAKER 
COUNTY...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING 
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Fire
Weather Watch, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through
Sunday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Georgia fire weather zone 144. 

* WIND...Sunday, north near 15 mph, with gusts near 25 mph. On
  Monday, northeast near 15 mph, with gusts near 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...Sunday, 25-27 percent, followed by poor humidity 
  recovery on Sunday night. Then on Monday, 17-20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

GAZ120-122>124-126-190730-
/O.NEW.KTAE.FW.A.0005.260419T1800Z-260420T0000Z/
Quitman-Randolph-Calhoun-Terrell-Lee-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR Quitman,
Randolph, Calhoun, Terrell, and Lee Counties...

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Fire
Weather Watch, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through
Sunday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Georgia fire weather zones 120, 122, 123, 124, 
  and 126. 

* WIND...On Sunday, north near 15 mph, with gusts near 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...24-27 percent.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

FLZ010>012-014-015-028-029-034-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ143-
155-190730-
/O.CON.KTAE.FW.A.0004.260420T1500Z-260421T0000Z/
Washington-Jackson-Inland Bay-Inland Gulf-Inland Franklin-
Inland Taylor-Lafayette-Inland Dixie-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-
Coastal Franklin-Coastal Jefferson-Coastal Wakulla-Coastal Taylor-
Coastal Dixie-Miller-Seminole-
206 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026 /106 PM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026/

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE
EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE, THE FLORIDA BIG BEND, AND FAR SOUTHWEST
GEORGIA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Florida fire weather zones 010, 011, 012, 014,
  015, 028, 029, 034, 112, 114, 115, 118, 127, 128, and 134.
  Georgia fire weather zones 143 and 155. 

* WIND...Northeast near 15 mph, with gusts near 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...15-20 percent, following poor humidity recovery on
  Sunday night.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
148 AM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 141 AM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

- Areas of fog are forecast Saturday morning over the Florida
  Panhandle, Southeast Alabama, and far Southwest Georgia. If you
  encounter fog while driving, then slow down, use low beam
  headlights, and increase braking distance.

- Multiple days of critical or near-critical fire weather are
  expected beginning Saturday. The most critical combination of
  wind and low humidity will come on Monday. Please obey local
  burn bans.

- Small Craft Advisory conditions are expected over the open
  waters of the northeast Gulf from Sunday through at least
  Tuesday morning.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This Evening through Saturday)
Issued at 239 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Late night and early morning fog will be a concern through
sunrise Saturday over the FL Panhandle, southeast Alabama, and the
southwest corner of Georgia. In these areas, shallow seabreeze
moisture has pushed dewpoints to near or above 60 degrees.

Fire weather will be the concern on Saturday afternoon,
especially over the inland FL Big Bend and east of the Flint River
in Georgia. We have issued a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday in
these areas. Admittedly, this bends our wind and RH criteria a
little bit, but all the nudgers are there to use professional
discretion in issuing the Fire Weather Watch. Within the watch
area, RH will be within 5 percent of criteria. Moderate breezes
will develop, with wind gusts nearing 20 mph. Dispersion will be
very high, with values in the 95-120 range. High temperatures will
reach 88-92 degrees, near record highs in some cases. The Hot Dry
Windy Index will exceed the 90th percentile along the I-75
corridor in south Georgia, at a time of year when we are already
heading toward the HDW's annual climatological peak in early May.
Of course, D4 drought has led to stressed and extremely dry fuels.
So even if we miss our Red Flag criteria by a few percent on RH,
or a couple miles-per-hour on wind, all signs point to a fire
environment favoring a high risk of new large wildfires,
especially within the watch area. Further west over the Panhandle
and west of the Flint, an active fire environment is expected,
but RH will be too far removed from RFW criteria to justify a Fire
Weather Watch.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday night through next Friday)
Issued at 239 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026

A cold front will sweep across the region on Sunday morning.
Little if any rain will accompany the front. Gusty northerly winds
will kick in on Sunday afternoon behind the front, ushering in a
drier air mass. RH north of I-10 will drop into the 27-35 percent
range in the afternoon as winds gust well in excess of 20 mph.
Temperatures will trend down to near the afternoon normal for this
time in April. Clouds will stick around through about mid-
afternoon, which would be an inhibitor to fire behavior.

On Monday, we will be in the heart of the dry post-frontal air
mass. Afternoon dewpoints mostly in the 30s with upper 70s-mid 80s
high temperatures will bring Min RH into the 15-20 percent range.
Sustained northeast winds near 15 mph with gusts near 25 mph will
combine with the very low RH to support rapid spread on any
uncontrolled fire. A long lead-time Fire Weather Watch has been
issued, where we currently have some of the higher wind speeds
forecast, i.e. where confidence is higher. Later expansion of the
watch is possible.

Beyond Monday, upper ridging will start to build back in, and
temperatures will warm a couple degrees each day through Thursday.
Unfortunately, no rain is forecast.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 141 AM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

Not much change was necessary from the 0Z TAF package. Prevailing
VFR conds are expected for much of the next 24 hrs outside of
brief periods of flt restrictions from low vsbys and/or cigs via
fog/low stratus for ECP/DHN/TLH. However, the presence of upper
cirrus clouds may limit fog development. The best chances for fog
impacts remain at ECP, followed by DHN. Expect winds to increase
out of the SW from late morning thru this aftn to around 10 kts.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 239 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026

A bubble of high pressure will remain anchored over the northeast
Gulf through Saturday evening, supporting variable winds with
dominant nearshore afternoon seabreezes. Then a cold front will
quickly sweep across the waters during the day on Sunday, followed
at first by strong northerly winds. Strong breezes will clock around
easterly by Tuesday, as high pressure passes by to the north.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 239 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Critical and near-critical fire weather conditions are coming up
from Saturday through Monday, with the most critical conditions
expected on Monday. Elevated fire weather conditions will continue
from Tuesday through the rest of next week.

On Saturday, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for portions of
the Florida Big Bend and east of the Flint River in Georgia where
afternoon RH will fall to near or below 30 percent, wind will
exceed 12 mph, where dispersion will reach the very high 95-120
range, temperatures of 88-92 degrees will approach record highs,
and where the Hot Dry Windy Index exceeds the 90th percentile
(strong contributions from hot and dry).

A dry cold front on Sunday will be followed by northerly
afternoon wind gusts of 20-25 mph, and RH will be dropping in the
afternoon as a drier air mass arrives. Lingering cloud cover and
shading of fuels will be the main inhibitor to active fire
behavior on Sunday.

On Monday, a very dry air mass will overspread the region, with
Min RH commonly in the 15-20 percent range. Sustained northeast
winds will be near 15 mph, supporting extremely high dispersion.
Full sunshine, seasonably warm late April temperatures, and
ongoing drought will all contribute to a critical fire
environment.

Beyond Monday, the dry air mass will stick around through midweek.
Temperatures will be on a warming trend, and dispersions will be
high, but winds will diminish. The fire environment will remain
elevated.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 239 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Little to no rain is expected for the next 7 days. Any spotty rain
that comes with the cold front on Sunday will be a hydrologically
insignificant quarter-inch or less. Drought conditions will
continue or worsen over the next week.

For more local drought information & statements, visit the following
websites: weather.gov/tae/LocalDrought
weather.gov/tae/DroughtInformationStatement

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee   63  82  53  81 /   0  20   0   0
Panama City   66  78  54  81 /   0  20   0   0
Dothan        61  72  48  79 /   0  30   0   0
Albany        62  76  48  78 /   0  20   0   0
Valdosta      62  83  52  81 /   0  10   0   0
Cross City    61  86  56  83 /   0   0   0   0
Apalachicola  67  79  57  77 /   0  10   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening
     for FLZ010>019-027>029-034-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-326-
     426.

     Red Flag Warning from 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ this morning to 8 PM
     EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening for FLZ013-016>019-027-326-426.

GA...Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening
     for GAZ143>147-155>160.

     Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this
     evening for GAZ125-127>131-145>148-156>161.

AL...None.
GM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Haner
LONG TERM....Haner
AVIATION...IG3
MARINE...Haner
FIRE WEATHER...Haner
HYDROLOGY...Haner