Weather Alert in California
Fire Weather Watch issued July 29 at 3:29PM PDT until July 31 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
AREAS AFFECTED: Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley
DESCRIPTION: ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 11 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 285... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 285... * IMPACTS...Abundant lightning on dry fuels resulting in the potential for numerous new fire starts. * AFFECTED AREA...All of Fire weather zone 285. * TIMING...For today, 2p-11p. For Wednesday 2p-11p. For Thursday 2p-11p. * THUNDERSTORMS...Scattered thunderstorms with abundant lightning are expected today and Wednesday. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible earlier in the morning hours (between 0400-1100) on Wednesday, but the greatest coverage of storms is expected during the afternoon/evening hours. Another day of scattered coverage is possible on Thursday. Storms are likely to be wet, but lightning strikes outside of precipitation cores are possible, and cause for concern for new fire starts. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts of 35 to 50 mph could travel outward up to 25 miles from thunderstorm cores. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
INSTRUCTION: If you have not packed your go kit yet, now is the time to do so. This includes items like important documents and essentials you cannot live without. Fill your vehicle's fuel tank. Visit ready.gov/kit for more information. Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could promote the rapid spread of wildfires which could become life- threatening. Check weather.gov/medford for forecast updates and a possible upgrade of the this watch to a Red Flag Warning.
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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails
Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds
A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an
aircraft.
Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended
in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails
are called exhaust contrails.
Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure
moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation.
These are called aerodynamic contrails.
When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation.
The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is
because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.
Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds
Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds
Next Topic: Drizzle
Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and
may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud
is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.
Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall,
becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds.
When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.
Next Topic: Drizzle
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