NOAA
FORECASTERS PREDICT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN
SOUTHWEST U.S.
June
28, 2005 � Weather conditions on Tuesday have the potential to create
a significant fire weather situation across parts of southeastern Nevada,
southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, according to forecasters
with the NOAA Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. (Click
NOAA image for larger view of the USA fire weather outlook for Tuesday,
June 28, 2005, from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Please credit
“NOAA.”)
A very
high to extreme fire danger coupled with strong gusty winds, low afternoon
humidity and the chance of dry thunderstorms are all coming together
across this area of the southwest Tuesday, said Phillip Bothwell, NOAA
Storm Prediction Center senior development meteorologist.
"Thunderstorms
have occurred across parts of the area early this morning," he
explained. "The timing of the events will be critical for fire
weather concerns. Some of the storms may produce wetting rains, although
most are expected to be dry thunderstorms with little precipitation
reaching the ground. It is the combination of the timing of the thunderstorms,
the amount of rainfall they produce, the location of lightning strikes
and the very hot, dry and windy surface conditions that could cause
a significant fire weather threat." (Click NOAA image for
larger view of wildfire hot spots in the western United States taken
June 27, 2005, at 6:04 p.m. EDT. Click
here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)
The
greatest threat for wildfires would be expected to follow after the
lightning strikes where little precipitation has occurred across the
very dry vegetation when dry southwesterly winds of 20 mph with gusts
of 40 mph can be expected. Those involved with fire weather across southeastern
Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwest Arizona should monitor the weather
conditions and stay alert for the latest statements from their local
NOAA National Weather Service forecast offices. (Click NOAA
image for larger view of wildfire hot spots in the western United States
taken June 26, 2005, at 6:16 p.m. EDT. Click
here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)
The next
few days will bring somewhat lighter winds but continued hot and dry
conditions, Bothwell said.
NOAA, an
agency of the U.S. Department of
Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national
safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related
events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal
and marine resources.
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Storm Prediction Center
NOAA
Storm Prediction Center Fire Weather Forecasts
NOAA
Lightning Safety Awareness
NOAA
Fire Weather Information Center
NOAA
Lightning Page
Media
Contact:
Keli Tarp, NOAA
Storm Prediction Center, (405) 366-0451
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