Weather Alert in Oregon
Fire Weather Watch issued September 2 at 3:55AM PDT until September 3 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Portland OR
AREAS AFFECTED: Mt. Hood National Forest Region; Southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Mt. Adams Ranger District of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest
DESCRIPTION: The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Fire Weather Watch for thunderstorms, which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 688 Mt. Hood National Forest Region. In Washington, Fire Weather Zone 634 Southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 635 Mt. Adams Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. * THUNDERSTORMS...A 10-25% chance of thunderstorms. Storms may produce very little rainfall, increasing the risk of new fire starts from dry lightning. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Instantaneous gusts as high as 40 mph. Gusts at these speeds can be observed tens of miles away from the core of the thunderstorm. * DRY AND UNSTABLE...Unstable conditions with elevated mixing heights may promote pyroconvective activity over ongoing fires. * IMPACTS...Conditions may be favorable for rapid fire spread which may threaten life and property. Thunderstorm outflow winds may result in unanticipated erratic fire spread. High instability may result in fire growth. Frequent lightning and critically dry fuels may result in new fire starts.
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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