Wednesday, August 03, 2016
Constants and variables 47
Maybe the Weather Bureau should revise its criteria for Red Flag Warnings of fire danger. A comparison of two recent Warnings shows that TEMPERATURE is an important variable.
Yesterday was a Red Flag. Winds were around 20G35 for a couple of hours, which is nowhere near damaging but certainly enough to move some sparks around. The temperature during that period was dropping from 77 to 73. One new brush fire around the Spokane metro, small and quickly put out. One a day is pretty much the norm without any wind.
There was also a Red Flag on 7/30. Wind was the same: 20G35 for a couple of hours. Temperature during that period was a steady 91. LOTS of new fire starts, maybe six or seven around the Spokane metro area.
I noticed a similar pair last year. Clearly temperature is a major determinant.
Labels: Constants and Variables
¶ 3:53 AM
