What Is a Red Flag Warning Weather Condition?

Red flag weather warnings can be associated with a few different situations. It is a common way to show alerts or grab attention. The official warning associated with a red flag is a term used by fire/weather forecasters when there is a high probability that burning or fire conditions will occur.

Reasons for Red Flag Warning Levels

• Red flag warning levels are most common when winds are sustained at around 15 miles per hour. Drought and low humidity levels less than or equal to 25 percent also enhance fire danger. Temperatures of 75 or greater heighten the chance as well.

Other Red Flag Causes

• Many areas have different weather concerns depending on their location. Areas where dry lightening is common in can receive red flag weather conditions. Unstable air is another factor that is looked at when determining red flag warnings.

Other Red Flag Criteria

• When issuing a red flag there is often a lot to take into consideration. Besides the obvious reasons, such as drought and low humidity, there is more to look at. Often red flag warnings are issued based on local vegetation type, availability to water sources and local topography.

Fire Weather Watch

• This is a precautionary watch that is issued 12 to 48 hours prior to potential red flag conditions. This watch should be taken seriously. When a fire weather watch is issued, appropriate precautionary measures should be completed in order to prepare for potential red flag conditions.

Emergency Action Plan

• People who live in areas where red flag weather conditions are common should be aware and understand proper procedure if one is issued. If presented with this situation, always tune into your emergency weather provider and listen for instructions.