Weather Alert in Oklahoma

Recent Locations: Tulsa, OK Hayward, CA Hialeah, FL

Red Flag Warning issued March 26 at 1:35PM CDT until March 27 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

AREAS AFFECTED: Harper; Woods; Alfalfa; Grant; Kay; Ellis; Woodward; Major; Garfield; Noble; Roger Mills; Dewey; Custer; Blaine; Kingfisher; Logan; Payne; Beckham; Washita; Caddo; Canadian; Oklahoma; Lincoln; Grady; McClain; Cleveland; Pottawatomie; Harmon; Greer; Kiowa; Jackson; Tillman; Comanche; Stephens; Garvin; Cotton; Jefferson; Hardeman; Foard; Wilbarger; Wichita; Knox; Baylor; Archer; Clay

DESCRIPTION: ...Wind driven near critical to critical fire weather conditions will continue today and tomorrow including a significant wind shift tonight from southerly winds to northerly winds.... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM CDT FRIDAY FOR HOT...DRY...AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR WESTERN...NORTHERN... AND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS... * WINDS Thursday... South 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph. A wind shift to northerly is expected this evening and overnight. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY Thursday... as low as 10 to 15 percent. * TEMPERATURES Thursday...Up to 95 to 100 degrees. * SEVERITY Thursday... FUELS (ERC)...90th+ percentile...5 (out of 5). WEATHER...Critical...3 (out of 5). FIRE ENVIRONMENT...8 (out of 10). * WINDS Friday...North to Northeast 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY Friday...As low as 15 to 20 percent. * TEMPERATURES Friday...Up to 60 to 65 degrees. * SEVERITY Friday... FUELS (ERC)...90th+ percentile...5 (out of 5). WEATHER...Near Critical...2 (out of 5). FIRE ENVIRONMENT...7 (out of 10). * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

INSTRUCTION: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet

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