Weather Alert in Washington
Red Flag Warning issued August 24 at 1:44PM PDT until August 26 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
AREAS AFFECTED: East Washington Central Cascades; East Portion of North Cascades National Park / Lake Chelan National Recreation Area; East Washington North Cascades; Methow Valley
DESCRIPTION: ...HOT, DRY, AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS... .Hot, dry, and unstable conditions are forecast along the East Slopes of the Central and Northern Cascades as well as the Methow Valley Monday and Tuesday. In addition, we are monitoring the potential for isolated thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday afternoons that could result in new fire starts along with gusty outflow winds. The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for hot, dry, and unstable conditions, which is in effect from noon Monday to 9 PM PDT Tuesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698) and Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon shifting to northwest in the evening, except gusty outflow winds near thunderstorms. * Timing: Afternoon and evening for both Monday and Tuesday. * Thunderstorms: A 5-10 percent chance of dry thunderstorms late Monday afternoon into the evening. A 20-25 percent chance of thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening mainly over the higher terrain. * Relative Humidities: Below 4000 feet: 13 to 20 percent. Above 4000 feet: 20 to 30 percent. * Temperatures: Below 4000 feet: 90 to 102 degrees. Above 4000 feet: 75 to 90 degrees. * Impacts: Hot, dry, unstable conditions may lead to rapid fire growth on any new or existing fires. Isolated thunderstorms will bring the potential for new fire starts, as well as gusty outflow winds.
INSTRUCTION: 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.
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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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