Weather Alert in Iowa
Red Flag Warning issued February 18 at 4:20AM CST until February 18 at 7:00PM CST by NWS La Crosse WI
AREAS AFFECTED: Mitchell; Howard; Winneshiek; Allamakee; Floyd; Chickasaw; Fayette; Clayton
DESCRIPTION: ...Critical fire weather conditions likely for northeast Iowa today... .The combination of strong winds and very dry conditions are favored to lead to critical fire weather conditions in northeast Iowa today, particularly in areas dominated by tall grasses. While shorter grasses and shrubs may remain damp due to recent melt of snowpack atop still frozen deeper soils, tall grasses may have dried enough to become receptive to ignition and rapid spread. * AFFECTED AREA...In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette and Clayton. * TIMING...From noon today to 7 PM CST this evening. * WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent. * TEMPERATURES...Up to 58. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
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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
Weather Topic: What are Wall Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Wall Clouds
Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds
A wall cloud forms underneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud,
and can be a hotbed for deadly tornadoes.
Wall clouds are formed by air flowing into the cumulonimbus clouds, which can
result in the wall cloud descending from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud, or
rising fractus clouds which join to the base of the storm cloud as the wall cloud
takes shape.
Wall clouds can be very large, and in the Northern Hemisphere they generally
form at the southern edge of cumulonimbus clouds.
Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds
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