UPDATE 9/9/21 AT 11:30 A.M.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued and will go into effect from 5PM today (Thursday, 9/9) to 11AM tomorrow (Friday, 9/10) for the potential of dry lightning and gusty/erratic winds. Thunderstorm chances will increase late this afternoon into early Friday morning. Thunderstorms will be a mix of wet (rain) and dry, but given how dry the fuels which includes vegetation, trees and seasonal grasses are, any lightning strikes could be problematic. The threat for thunderstorms diminishes early Friday.
* AFFECTED AREA... Locally this includes ALL of Santa Rosa, North Bay Interior Valleys and North Bay Mountains
* TIMING... Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.
* WINDS... Gusty and erratic winds are possible near any showers or thunderstorms.
* LIGHTNING... Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may develop late this afternoon and continue overnight into Friday morning. Fast-moving storms may produce dry lightning.
* IMPACTS... Given the dry fuels, any cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of starting new wildfires. Rapid spread may occur with any gusty and erratic winds.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
- Residents should review information at srcity.org/ReadySR which includes an evacuation checklist and other relevant preparedness information.
- When thunder roars, head indoors for safety.
- 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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ORIGINAL MESSAGE 9/8/21
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for ALL of Sonoma County for dry lightning potential from Thursday afternoon (9/9) through Friday morning (9/10). Thunderstorms will be more dry than wet, and given how dry vegetation currently is, any lightning strikes will be problematic. The threat for thunderstorms diminishes early Friday as the moisture exits eastward.
* AFFECTED AREA... ALL of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County
* TIMING... Thursday at 5PM through Friday at 11AM.
* WINDS... West 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Gusty and erratic winds near developed storms.
* LIGHTNING... Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will be possible Thursday afternoon through early Friday.
* IMPACTS... Given the dry fuels, any cloud to ground lightning strikes have the potential of starting new wildfires.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. Visit srcity.org/WildfireReady and srcity.org/ReadySR to learn more on how to prepare.
