Global Weather & Climate Center
  • Home
  • About
    • GWCC Is
    • Where in the World is GWCC?
    • Contact Us
  • Global Regions
    • Africa
    • Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
    • Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean
    • Central and South America
    • Europe
    • North America
    • Indian Ocean and Asia
    • Polar Regions
    • South Pacific Ocean and Australia
    • Western Pacific Ocean
  • Weather
    • Applied Meteorology >
      • Air Quality
      • Aviation
      • Droughts
      • Fire Weather
      • Flooding
      • Geosciences
      • Global Environmental Topics
      • Weather Observations
    • Weather Education
    • Weather History
    • Weather Research
    • Weather Safety and Preparedness
    • Severe Weather
    • Social Sciences
    • Space Weather
    • Tropical Cyclones
    • Weather and Health
    • Winter Weather
  • Climate
  • GWCC Global Imagery Archive
  • GWCC Window to the World
    • GOES-16 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
    • GOES-16 ABI Channel Description and Examples
    • GOES-16 ABI Satellite Products
    • GOES-17 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
    • Himawari-8 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
    • Meteosat-11 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
  • Kids Corner
    • Kindergarten to 5th Grade
    • 6th to 12th grade
    • Fun Facts & Weather Trivia
    • GWCC Weather Radar Education
    • GWCC Wheel of Science

Fire Weather Topics

Red Flag Warnings Issued Across Parts of the Midwest and Southwestern United States (Credit: NWS Twin Cities, NWS El Paso, NWS)

4/29/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
It has been a  dry start to the spring season in the southwestern United States.  The above-average temperatures and lack of rain has caused dry ground conditions and significant drought. The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for parts of the desert southwest. Above-normal temperatures combined with the lack of moisture has created  critical fire weather conditions that remain in place due to gusty sustained winds up to 30mph combined with low humidity values in the single digits.

The ongoing drought in the area is another risk factor to this start of the spring.  According to the U.S. Drought monitor, made by the National Drought Mitigation Center, there are four levels of drought ranging from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (exceptional drought).  Drought conditions are present across a majority of areas in the  desert southwest but levels of D3 drought, which is extreme drought and D4 exceptional drought levels, are most prevalent in parts of the four corners region of the United States. 

For parts of southern and central plain states, red flag warnings are also in effect there. Parts of central Minnesota and northern Iowa have had gusty wind conditions 20-25mph, relative humidity values dropping into the twenties and afternoon high temperatures in the high 70s and low to mid-80s.  These conditions are likely to remain throughout the afternoon and evening. During a red flag warning, it is extremely important to heed local burn bans, properly discard any cigarettes, and avoid activities that cause open flames or sparks.  With the dry vegetation, warm temperatures, gusty winds, and low humidity it doesn’t take much to spark a brush fire or even a wildfire!

To learn more about fire weather and fire weather education, be sure to click here!

© 2018 Meteorologist Shannon Scully 
0 Comments

    Archives

    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016


    RSS Feed

© 2022, Global Weather and Climate Center
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
​Webmaster - Stephen Piechowski
  • Home
  • About
    • GWCC Is
    • Where in the World is GWCC?
    • Contact Us
  • Global Regions
    • Africa
    • Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
    • Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean
    • Central and South America
    • Europe
    • North America
    • Indian Ocean and Asia
    • Polar Regions
    • South Pacific Ocean and Australia
    • Western Pacific Ocean
  • Weather
    • Applied Meteorology >
      • Air Quality
      • Aviation
      • Droughts
      • Fire Weather
      • Flooding
      • Geosciences
      • Global Environmental Topics
      • Weather Observations
    • Weather Education
    • Weather History
    • Weather Research
    • Weather Safety and Preparedness
    • Severe Weather
    • Social Sciences
    • Space Weather
    • Tropical Cyclones
    • Weather and Health
    • Winter Weather
  • Climate
  • GWCC Global Imagery Archive
  • GWCC Window to the World
    • GOES-16 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
    • GOES-16 ABI Channel Description and Examples
    • GOES-16 ABI Satellite Products
    • GOES-17 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
    • Himawari-8 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
    • Meteosat-11 Live Satellite Imagery Portal
  • Kids Corner
    • Kindergarten to 5th Grade
    • 6th to 12th grade
    • Fun Facts & Weather Trivia
    • GWCC Weather Radar Education
    • GWCC Wheel of Science