Weather Alert in California

Recent Locations: Newry, SC   Friendship, MD   Arroyo Grande, CA  
Current Alerts for Arroyo Grande, CA: Extreme Heat Warning Heat Advisory
Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued August 20 at 3:34PM PDT until August 23 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

AREAS AFFECTED: Cuyama Valley; San Luis Obispo County Mountains; Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range; Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range; Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains

DESCRIPTION: ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR AN UNSEASONABLY HOT AND UNSTABLE AIR MASS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR FROM VERTICAL PLUME GROWTH... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND LOCALLY BREEZY WINDS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM PDT THURSDAY TO 9 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR AN UNSEASONABLY HOT AND UNSTABLE AIR MASS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR FROM VERTICAL PLUME GROWTH...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND LOCALLY BREEZY WINDS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS OF SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES... .A significant heatwave is on the way for late this week into this weekend, bringing dangerous fire-weather conditions. * TEMPERATURES...Unseasonably hot high temperatures, generally 95- 105 degrees, producing unseasonably unstable conditions. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum relative humidity 8-20 percent. * THUNDERSTORMS...There is a less than 10 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms Friday through the weekend, and any accompanying lightning strikes will be capable of starting new fires on the peripheries of rain cores. * WINDS...Diurnal wind patterns with speeds of 5-10 mph gusting to 10-15 mph, locally higher in wind-favored areas such as through passes and canyons. * IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid fire growth, which could threaten life and property. Be aware of sudden re-direction of fires in response to passing outflow boundaries. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Fire-weather headlines may eventually need to be extended into Sunday.

INSTRUCTION: A Red Flag Warning means that fire-weather conditions could potentially become favorable for the development of extreme fire behavior in the coming days. Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out. See readyforwildfire.org and wildfirerisk.org for information.

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Weather Topic: What are Fractus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Fractus Clouds

Fractus Clouds Next Topic: Freezing Rain

A fractus cloud (scud) is a fragmented, tattered cloud which has likely been sheared off of another cloud. They are accessory clouds, meaning they develop from parent clouds, and are named in a way which describes the original cloud which contained them.

Fractus clouds which have originated from cumulus clouds are referred to as cumulus fractus, while fractus clouds which have originated from stratus clouds are referred to as stratus fractus. Under certain conditions a fractus cloud might merge with another cloud, or develop into a cumulus cloud, but usually a fractus cloud seen by itself will dissipate rapidly.

They are often observed on the leading and trailing edges of storm clouds, and are a display of wind activity.

Next Topic: Freezing Rain

Weather Topic: What is Graupel?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Graupel

Graupel Next Topic: Hail

Graupel is a form of precipitation that is created by atmospheric conditions which cause supercooled water droplets to contact snow crystals and freeze to their surface.

Sometimes known as soft hail or snow pellets, graupel is delicate and easily destroyed by touch. Whereas hail usually falls during severe weather, graupel doesn't require such conditions to form, and can form in mild precipitation similar to situations which produce snowfall.

Next Topic: Hail

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