RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WESTERN COCONINO AND YAVAPAI COUNTIES Red Flag Warning issued June 4 at 1:42PM MST until June 5 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Red Flag Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA…Locations near Fredonia, Grand Canyon, Jacob Lake, North Rim, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Seligman and Valle. This includes portions of the Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest and Prescott National Forest. * WINDS…South 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS…The combination of strong gusty winds and low relative humidity may create critical fire weather conditions. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible, which could lead to new fire starts.
Tag Archives: NOAA
Winter Storm Watch
From Coconino County Emergency Management
In partnership with the National Weather Service WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING ABOVE 6000 FEET Winter Storm Watch issued March 16 at 3:06PM MST until March 19 at 6:00AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ * WHAT…Heavy snow possible above 6000 feet. Total snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts of 16 inches possible. * WHERE…Areas above 6000 feet near Alpine, Doney Park, Flagstaff, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, Jacob Lake, Pinetop- Lakeside, Show Low and Williams. * WHEN…From Wednesday morning through early Thursday morning. * IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning or evening commute. Snow forecast from 6 AM Wednesday to 6 AM Thursday: Alpine 6 to 10 inches Doney Park 2 to 4 inches Flagstaff 8 to 12 inches Forest Lakes 9 to 15 inches Heber-Overgaard 3 to 5 inches Jacob Lake 4 to 8 inches Pinetop-Lkside 5 to 9 inches Show Low 3 to 5 inches Williams 8 to 12 inches.
Winter weather advisory for northern Arizona
WILLIAMS — The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory to start at 5 p.m. today and run to 5 a.m. Saturday for elevations above 5000 feet. Travel should be restricted to necessary travel during the period. If you must travel to Flagstaff, stay well clear of snow plows. It is not safe to travel directly behind the plow.
Ash Fork is not included in the weather advisory, but could get up to 4-inches from the storm. Valle could get up to 5-inches of snow.
Starting today Williams will be partly sunny with a 30% chance of snow showers after 11 a.m. Less than 1/2″ is expected today with 2- to 4-inches of snow accumulation overnight. Winds of 7- to 13-mph today lessening to about 8-mph overnight are expected.
Friday an 80% chance of show might bring up to 3″ of snow with less than 1″ overnight.
Weather is expected to clear Saturday with temperatures reaching the 35-degree range during the day. Monday there is a 20% chance of snow with little accumulation clearing again Tuesday through New Year Day.
Snow forecast from 5 PM Today to 5 AM Saturday:
Doney Park 4 to 8 inches
Flagstaff 5 to 9 inches
Forest Lakes 8 to 12 inches
Heber-Overgaard 4 to 6 inches
Payson 2 to 4 inches
Pine-Strawberry 7 to 11 inches
Sedona 0 to 1 inches
Williams 4 to 8 inches
Moisture moving in may bring flash floods
WILLIAMS — A moist airmass over Arizona with the potential of heavy rain producing thunderstorm complexes caused the National Weather service to issue a flash flood watch in portions of east central and west central Arizona. The areas affected are northern Gila County, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Yavapai County Mountains, and Yavapai County Valleys and Basins. Rainfall rates can result in strong, rapidly rising water in area washes, which may create hazardous conditions at low water crossings. . Localized rainfall amounts could exceed 1 inch in less than an hour, with storm total rainfall possibly above 3 inches. The Flash Flood Watch runs from September 23 at 3:19AM MST until September 24 at 5:00AM MST.
NOAA warns against crossing flooded roads and low-laying areas. No matter how powerful your vehicle, it does not take much water flow to carry it downstream.
In Williams there is an 40% chance of thunderstorms raising to 80% tonight. Thunderstorms are likely through Sunday.
Campfire Safety Urged This Weekend on Kaibab National Forest
WILLIAMS – Kaibab National Forest fire managers would like to remind visitors and the public to use extreme caution with campfires and any other activity that could potentially cause a wildfire as the weekend approaches.
Although there are currently no fire restrictions in effect on the forest, a dry cold front will bring stronger southwest winds into the area this weekend. Temperatures will be noticeably cooler however very dry conditions will endure increasing the threat for critical fire weather. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for all of northern Arizona beginning Wednesday afternoon. Winds are expected to be up to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph today and 22 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph on Thursday. Although red flag conditions are not yet set for Friday, winds will be 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
“When fuel moistures and relative humidity remain low, fire can spread just as fast even when cold temperatures exist” said Fred Phillips Fire Prevention Officer on the Williams Ranger District. “Historically we have seen more unwanted human caused wildfires occur during this time of year when these type of conditions exist.”
We welcome people to visit and enjoy a wide variety of unique recreational opportunities the forest has to offer, but emphasize the message that there is always a need to be responsible with campfires.
The following tips for ensuring a safe visit to the Kaibab National Forest are recommended:
- Never abandon or leave a campfire unattended.
- Have a shovel and plenty of water on hand to put it out. “Drown, Stir, and Feel!”
- Ensure the area surrounding your campfire is free of any burnable materials.
- Use existing campfire rings to minimize impact to the surrounding soil.
- Remember fireworks are prohibited on all National Forest Lands.
- Dispose of all trash and debris in appropriate receptacles.
Remember that if a fire starts no matter what precautions you take, evacuate the area immediately. Do not try to pack up your stuff and do not try to fight the fire yourself. When you get to a safe location call 911.
As weather conditions become warmer and drier, fire managers will continue to assess the need to implement fire restrictions. Forest visitors may call the Kaibab National Forest fire information phone line at (928) 635-8311 for current conditions and the status of fire restrictions. To find out if fire restrictions are in effect anywhere in Arizona, visit www.firerestrictions.us/az.
Red Flag Warning in effect today
WILLIAMS – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for today until 7 p.m. that covers the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest due to strong winds and low relative humidity.
Visitors to the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest are advised to refrain from having a campfire when Red Flag Warning conditions exist. This advisory covers all campfires across the affected area, including in developed campgrounds, for the hours during which the Red Flag Warning has been issued.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire behavior. The campfire advisory remains in effect until the Red Flag Warning ends.
While the North Kaibab Ranger District is not under a Red Flag Warning, a Wind Advisory has been issued for that area today.
The Kaibab National Forest is committed to educating visitors about their role in helping prevent unwanted, human-caused fires. Avoiding having campfires on windy days is one way they can do that.
For detailed weather information including warnings issued by the National Weather Service, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/. For homeowners interested in reducing wildfire risks at their residences, visit www.firewise.org.
HIgh Wind Advisory today through tonight.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind advisory from 11 a.m. today through 7 p.m. tonight from Ash Fork to Flagstaff. The high wind advisory extends to Tusayan and Prescott.
Winds will be from the southwest from 20 to 30 mph gusting up to 50 mph. Travelers should take caution driving from Ash Fork to Flagstaff.
Where has all the ammo gone?
For weeks news of massive purchases of ammunition have sparked concerns across the Internet that the government was preparing for possible clashes with American citizens.
Reports are the DHS has ordered a million rounds of ammunition and large amounts of riot gear. It has even been reported that the amount of ammunition has been redacted from official government documents available to the public. The amount of .223 ammunition purchased by the DHS and ICE is over 4-million dollars.
While some might consider the purchase by these law enforcement agencies as nothing extraordinary, even the least cautious might find in curious that the Social Security Administration and the National Weather service is also stocking up on ammunition.
Redacted information on DHS forms — Courtesy Prison Planet.com
California, at the same time, is considering legislation that would red flag any person purchasing 1000 rounds of ammunition or more.
Private owners are finding it difficult to find ammunition at a reasonable price in the calibers ordered by the government. Charges have been levied by some gun dealers that the State Department has ordered ammunition being shipped into the United States to be held in storage—at the expense of the business ordering the ammunition—for the sole purpose of driving the price of ammunition up.
Concern is also raised over the United Nations small arms treaty still making its way through the consideration process. Reports are that the small arms treaty effectively nullifies the Second Amendment protection and bans virtually all weapons from private ownership. While the Supreme Court has ruled that treaties cannot violate the Constitution of the United States, fears are that the government could proceed to confiscate and destroy weapons until an elongated court battle could be conducted.
Why The Gov’t Purchase Of Ammunition Should Scare The Hell Out Of You