Weather Alert in California

Recent Locations: San Francisco, CA

Red Flag Warning issued July 29 at 1:27AM PDT until July 29 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR

AREAS AFFECTED: Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley

DESCRIPTION: The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM to 11 PM PDT today. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued and is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...Abundant lightning on dry fuels resulting in the potential for numerous new fire starts. * AFFECTED AREA...All of Fire weather zone 285. * THUNDERSTORMS...Scattered thunderstorms with abundant lightning are expected today. On Wednesday, scattered to widespread thunderstorms are possible. Storms are likely to be wet, but lightning strikes outside of precipitation cores are possible, and cause for concern for new fire starts. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts of 35 to 50 mph could travel outward up to 25 miles from thunderstorm cores. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

INSTRUCTION: Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. If you have not packed your go kit yet, now is the time to do so. This includes items like important documents and essentials you cannot live without. Fill your vehicle's fuel tank. Visit ready.gov/kit for more information. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could promote the rapid spread of wildfires which could become life- threatening. Check weather.gov/medford for forecast updates and a possible upgrade of the this watch to a Red Flag Warning.

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National Weather Forecast--Current

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North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

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Weather Topic: What are Cirrostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cirrostratus Clouds

Next Topic: Cirrus Clouds

Cirrostratus clouds are high, thin clouds that form above 20,000 feet and are made mostly of ice crystals. They sometimes look like giant feathers, horse tails, or curls of hair in the sky. These clouds are pushed by the jet stream and can move at high speeds reaching 100 mph.

What do they indicate?
They indicate that a precipitation is likely within 24 hours.

Next Topic: Cirrus Clouds

Weather Topic: What is Condensation?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Condensation

Next Topic: Contrails

Condensation is the process which creates clouds, and therefore it is a crucial process in the water cycle. Condensation is the change of matter from a state of gas into a state of liquid, and it happens because water molecules release heat into the atmosphere and become organized into a more closely packed structure, what we might see as water droplets.

Water is always present in the air around us as a vapor, but it's too small for us to see. When water undergoes the process of condensation it becomes organized into visible water droplets. You've probably seen condensation happen before on the surface of a cold drink!

Next Topic: Contrails