Red Flag Warning Issued for Kay and Noble Counties in North Central Oklahoma
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Kay and Noble counties effective Wednesday, citing high winds and low humidity that create critical fire conditions.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Norman, OK, has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of north central Oklahoma. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected to occur due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures, which contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers the following counties in Oklahoma:
- Kay County
- Noble County
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised against any outdoor burning. Any fires that develop under these conditions will likely spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Residents should prepare for potential fire hazards and monitor local weather updates for changes in conditions.
Expected Conditions
Weather conditions on Wednesday are expected to include:
- Winds: Southwest winds between 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph. On Thursday, winds are expected to shift to the northwest at similar speeds with higher gusts.
- Relative Humidity: Levels as low as 15 percent.
- Temperatures: Highs reaching up to 74 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday and the low 60s on Thursday.
- Fire Environment: The fire environment is rated at a 6 out of 10, with fuels (ERC) in the 70th to 89th percentile.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10:00 AM CST on Wednesday, February 18, until 8:00 PM CST the same evening. A Fire Weather Watch is also in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening.
Source: NOAA Official Notice