* UPDATE on July 17, 2021 @ 2:00 PM *
The National Weather Service has elevated the original Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for the North Bay Mountains and upper elevations of Sonoma County from Sunday at 5PM to Monday afternoon. The warning is based on a chance for dry lightning Sunday into Monday. The potential thunderstorms will be a mix of dry and wet, but given how dry the fuels are, any lightning strikes will be problematic. The threat for thunderstorms diminishes Monday afternoon as the moisture moves northward.
The City of Santa Rosa has plans to upstaff additional firefighters and emergency operations needs. This is being done out of an abundance of caution to ensure we are prepared for weather or fire-related type incidents.
WIND: Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.
TIMING: Thunderstorm threat most likely late Sunday afternoon through early Monday afternoon.
LIGHTNING: Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be possible Sunday afternoon through early Monday afternoon.
IMPACTS: Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of starting new wildfires.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
Please visit srcity.org/ReadySR and review emergency preparedness information including tips and checklists. You can also learn more about fire weather warnings and wildfire preparation measures you can take at srcity.org/WildfireReady. When you hear the thunder roar, head indoors.
* Original message (no longer valid) July 16th, 2021 *
The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance for dry lightning Sunday into Monday. The Fire Weather Watch will be in effect for the North Bay Mountains and upper elevations of Sonoma County from Sunday at 5PM to Monday at 11AM. The potential thunderstorms will be a mix of dry and wet, but given how dry the fuels are, any lightning strikes will be problematic. The threat for thunderstorms diminishes Monday afternoon as the moisture moves northward.
WIND: Given the potentially dry nature of thunderstorms gusty and erratic winds will be possible with developed storms.
TIMING: Thunderstorm threat most likely late Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
LIGHTNING: Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be possible Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
IMPACTS: Given the dry fuels over the higher elevations, any cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of starting new wildfires.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
Please visit srcity.org/ReadySR and review emergency preparedness information including tips and checklists. You can also learn more about fire weather warnings and wildfire preparation measures you can take at srcity.org/WildfireReady.
When you hear the thunder roar, head indoors.