Weather Alert in Washington
Red Flag Warning issued August 27 at 1:09AM PDT until August 27 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
AREAS AFFECTED: West Slopes of the North Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet; West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet; East Portion of the Olympic Mountains
DESCRIPTION: The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Red Flag Warning for dry thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds, which is in effect from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM PDT this evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 658 West Slopes of the North Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet, Fire Weather Zone 659 West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet and Fire Weather Zone 661 East Portion of the Olympic Mountains. * THUNDERSTORMS...Thunderstorms are favored along the eastern slopes of the Olympic mountains between 11 AM and 3 PM, and more so in the Cascades from 3 PM to 8 PM. Wetting rains are possible, but lightning strikes on very dry fuel are capable of new fire starts. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Outflow winds of 25 to 30 mph are possible. Outflow winds can occur ahead of and behind storms and cause erratic wind directions. * IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air quality may diminish in the surrounding area.
INSTRUCTION: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either imminent or occurring now. Any fires that develop will likely spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
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Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds
Next Topic: Stratus Clouds
Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their
fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.
A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure
the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally
an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a
stratocumulus cloud.
It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do
it is usually a light rain or snow.
Next Topic: Stratus Clouds
Weather Topic: What are Wall Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Wall Clouds
Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds
A wall cloud forms underneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud,
and can be a hotbed for deadly tornadoes.
Wall clouds are formed by air flowing into the cumulonimbus clouds, which can
result in the wall cloud descending from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud, or
rising fractus clouds which join to the base of the storm cloud as the wall cloud
takes shape.
Wall clouds can be very large, and in the Northern Hemisphere they generally
form at the southern edge of cumulonimbus clouds.
Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds
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