Fire Weather Page

River Flooding Lingers in Florida Following Milton; Gusty Winds Bring Critical Fire Weather to the Great Lakes Today

Moderate to major river flooding is forecast throughout much of Florida through this weekend, in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Dry, gusty winds ahead of a cold front crossing the Great Lakes will contribute to elevated to critical fire weather today over parts of Michigan. Further west, this front will press across the central Plains on Saturday with possible critical fire weather. Read More >

State Fire Weather Operations Plans

Area NWS Fire Weather Forecasts

NWS Sterling Fire Weather Planning forecasts are issued twice a day, at 5:10 AM and 2:10 PM.

Red Flag Criteria

Sustained winds 20 mph along with relative humidity less than 30 percent and fuel moisture less than or equal to 8 percent will initiate a call to the Maryland State Agency regarding a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.

For Virginia, a call will be made when sustained winds of 20 mph and relative humidity of less than 30 percent combines with fuel moistures less than 8 percent. Temperatures must be above 40 degrees.

For West Virginia, sustained winds 20 mph along with relative humidity less than or equal to 25 percent and fuel moisture less than or equal to 8 percent will initiate a call to the State Agency.

Special Weather Statements

Issued in coordination with the state agencies when near red flag criteria are expected.

NWS Sterling Latest Red Flag Warning / Fire Weather Watch - if recently issued/available

NWS Sterling Fire Weather Forecast - available year round (map of area with fire weather zones)

NWS Sterling Fire Weather Matrix (how to decode)

NWS Wakefield Fire Weather Forecast (map of area)

NWS Blacksburg Fire Weather Forecast (map of area)

NWS Mt. Holly Fire Weather Forecast (map of area)

Graphical Fire Weather Forecast

RAWS Point Forecasts: