Additional Heavy Rain and Flooding Concerns in Central Texas; Tropical Storm Chantal to Impact the Coastal Carolinas

Heavy rainfall and flooding concerns remain for today across Central Texas and the Hill Country, with scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening. Tropical Storm Chantal has formed and will bring heavy rainfall and flooding concerns to portions of the coastal Carolinas. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected from the Southeast to Mid-Atlantic. Read More >

Definitions of a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning

A Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger. These products are written for land and fire managers to highlight the increased fire danger.

Each NWS office creates local criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings. The criteria for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana include:

Sustained 20 foot winds of 20 mph or higher.
Afternoon relative humidity less than 25%.
10 hour fuel moisture at 8% or less for one day.

A Fire Weather Watch is issued up to 72 hours before the above conditions are expected to occur.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when the conditions above are expected to occur or are occurring within the next 24 hours.

Click to get to the NWS Chicago Fire Weather Page

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