Fire Weather Program Information

Fire Weather Planning Forecast for the State of Hawai`i

Map of Fire Weather Zones

The primary use of the daily Fire Weather Planning Forecast is for fire pre-suppression activities and planning. Issued daily at 5:30 AM HST, this product includes:

1. Discussion including meteorological features influencing the weather statewide.
2. Forecasts:
   1. Sky cover and weather

      Common sky cover terms

      Day Only	Day or Night	Predominant Sky Condition
      Cloudy	Cloudy	8/8 Opaque Clouds
      Mostly Cloudy, or Considerable Cloudiness	Mostly Cloudy, or Considerable Cloudiness	6/8 to 7/8 Opaque Clouds
      Partly Sunny	Partly Cloudy	3/8 to 5/8 Opaque Clouds
      Mostly Sunny	Mostly Clear	1/8 to 2/8 Opaque Clouds
      Sunny	Clear	0/8 Opaque Clouds

      Weather qualifiers for rain or thunderstorm likelihood

      Qualifying term	Areal coverage term	Probability of precipitation (POP)
      Slight chance (or none)	Isolated (or none)	10% or less
      Slight chance	Isolated	20%
      Chance	Scattered	30%, 40%, 50%
      Likely	Numerous	60%, 70%
      none	none	80%, 90%, 100%

   2. Temperature - Forecast maximum for daytime; minimum for nighttime.
   3. Humidity - Forecast minimum relative humidity for daytime; maximum relative humidity for nighttime.
   4. Wind - Forecast direction and speed during the most hazardous part of the day, and generally at night. Maximum gusts and erratic winds and/or wind shifts will be given, where necessary.
3. Smoke dispersal (mixing height/inversion level) and transport wind
4. 3 to 5 day extended forecast.

Red Flag Warning - issued when meteorological and environmental conditions are expected to result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours. Red Flag Warnings will be issued as a separate product and as a headline in the daily or amended daily Fire Weather Planning Forecast.

Spot Forecasts for Wildfires and Prescribed Burns

The spot forecast is a site-specific, localized forecast for wildfires and prescribed burns. Eye-level winds are generally preferred in the spot forecast since on-site observers will report eye level winds which will also be experienced by the on-site fire suppression team.

The spot forecast includes:

1. Discussion of the meteorological factors affecting the particular site during the forecast period.
2. Forecasts:
   1. Sky cover and weather at the site.

      Sky cover terms

      Day Only	Day or Night	Predominant Sky Condition
      Cloudy	Cloudy	8/8 Opaque Clouds
      Mostly Cloudy, or Considerable Cloudiness	Mostly Cloudy, or Considerable Cloudiness	6/8 to 7/8 Opaque Clouds
      Partly Sunny	Partly Cloudy	3/8 to 5/8 Opaque Clouds
      Mostly Sunny	Mostly Clear	1/8 to 2/8 Opaque Clouds
      Sunny	Clear	0/8 Opaque Clouds

      Qualifiers for rain or thunderstorm

      Qualifying term	Equivalent areal coverage term	Equivalent probability of precipitation (POP)
      Slight chance (or none)	Isolated (or none)	10% or less
      Slight chance	Isolated	20%
      Chance	Scattered	30%, 40%, 50%
      Likely	Numerous	60%, 70%
      none	none	80%, 90%, 100%

   2. Temperature - Forecast maximum for daytime, minimum for nighttime at the site.
   3. Humidity - Forecast minimum relative humidity for daytime; maximum relative humidity for nighttime at the site.
   4. Wind - Forecast direction and speed of the wind during the most hazardous part of the day, and generally at night. The time of maximum gusts and erratic winds and/or wind shifts will be given.
3. Mixing Height (inversion level) and transport wind may be included.
4. Outlook for the following day, or the following night and next day.