Weather Alert in Iowa
Fire Weather Watch issued February 17 at 3:30PM CST until February 18 at 8:00PM CST by NWS La Crosse WI
AREAS AFFECTED: Mitchell; Howard; Winneshiek; Allamakee; Floyd; Chickasaw; Fayette; Clayton
DESCRIPTION: ...Critical fire weather conditions possible for northeast Iowa Wednesday... .The combination of strong winds and very dry conditions are favored to lead to critical fire weather conditions in northeast Iowa Wednesday, particularly in areas dominated by tall grasses. While shorter grasses and shrubs may remain damp due to recent melt of snowpack atop still frozen deeper soils, tall grasses may have dried enough to become receptive to ignition and rapid spread. The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a Fire Weather Watch for strong winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette and Clayton. * TIMING...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 17 percent. * TEMPERATURES...Up to 59. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
INSTRUCTION: A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet
Next Topic: Snow
Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary
components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones,
and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and
therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.
The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be
wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer
layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air
it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water
droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is
freezing rain.
Next Topic: Snow
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
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