Red Flag Warning Issued for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
/Red Flag Warnings have been issued for areas of the Klamath Basin, quad county areas and beyond
Due to a high risk for a strong thunderstorm system in the area that can bring frequent lightning to dry fuels during periods of gusty winds and low humidity. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today, August 8, 2019, from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM. A second Red Flag Warning has been issued for 11:00 AM, Friday, August 9 through 10:00 PM Saturday, August 10, 2019.
Increasing Fire Weather Risk this afternoon into this evening and again Friday into Saturday
Another period of gusty winds and low relative humidity will develop this afternoon and evening in the Fremont National Forest in south-central Oregon as well as the Klamath and Modoc National Forest in northeast California. Isolated thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening in northern Klamath and Lake Counties, and also in the Warner Mountains.
A strong system for this time of the year will move up from the south on Friday and could bring frequent lightning on dry fuels late Friday morning into Friday evening. Thunderstorms are expected to produce little or no rainfall to start, then the chance for wetting rain is expected to increase Friday evening. Thunderstorms are expected to diminish in coverage and intensity west of the Cascades Friday night into Saturday morning. Thunderstorms will then increase in coverage again Saturday afternoon and evening, especially along and east of the Cascades.
IMPACTS
Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and high fire danger will likely contribute to a significant spread of any new and existing fires this afternoon and evening. On Friday, abundant lightning on dry fuels may produce numerous new starts that pose a threat to life and property, and may overwhelm initial attack capabilities. However, wetting rainfall may occur under cores of thunderstorms.
AREAS AFFECTED
Affected area in the Red Flag Warning for strong winds and low relative humidity and abundant lighting on dry fuels: Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Fremont-Winema National Forest, Modoc National Forest, BLM Rangelands, Harney Basin, Cascade Mountains, Western valleys and Coastal Ranges.
THUNDERSTORMS
Beginning late Friday morning, increasing in coverage through the afternoon and evening. Lightning coverage could increase to scattered as the day progresses. Thunderstorms are expected to decrease in coverage Friday night into Saturday morning, then could increase again Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening.
WINDS
Winds this afternoon and evening: Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Winds Friday afternoon and evening: Generally south to southwest at 10 to 20 mph, but gusty and erratic winds are possible in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms.
HUMIDITY
Minimum humidity: 8 to 12 percent
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