6:45 A.M. TUESDAY UPDATE:
As expected, a Red Flag Warning against outdoor burning has been issued by the NWS. It includes all of north and central Georgia.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED 4:00 A.M. TUESDAY:
A rare Fire Weather Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for north and central Georgia noon to 7:00 p.m. today.
“…A Fire Weather Watch means that there is high potential for the development of critical fire weather conditions…” the weather service said. “Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. Please refer to the local burn permitting authorities on whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside…use extreme caution. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Fire Weather Watch.”
Affected Area
East and Northeast Georgia
Timing
This afternoon and evening
Winds
Up to 25 mph; with gusts as high as 30 mph along ridgelines and peaks of NE Georgia
Relative Humidity
Falling below 25% by early afternoon.
Impacts
With elevated winds and low relative humidities, extremely dangerous fire weather conditions are possible.
NWS: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FIRE WEATHER WATCH AND A RED FLAG WARNING:
A Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger. These products are written for land and fire managers to highlight the increased fire danger.
Each NWS office creates local criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings. The criteria for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana include:
- Sustained 20 foot winds of 20 mph or higher.
- Afternoon relative humidity less than 25%.
- 10 hour fuel moisture at 8% or less for one day.
A Fire Weather Watch is issued up to 72 hours before the above conditions are expected to occur.
A Red Flag Warning is issued when the conditions above are expected to occur or are occurring within the next 24 hours.