Weather Alert in California

Recent Locations: Cartersville, GA   Potter Valley, CA  

Fire Weather Watch issued May 21 at 3:45PM PDT until May 22 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

AREAS AFFECTED: West Side Hills; San Joaquin Valley; Central Sierra Foothills; Southern Sierra Foothills

DESCRIPTION: * AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zone 579 West Side Hills. Fire weather zone 580 San Joaquin Valley. Fire weather zone 590 Central Sierra Foothills. Fire weather zone 591 Southern Sierra Foothills. * WIND...West to Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts reaching 25 to 35 mph. Ridge-top wind gusts reaching 35 mph. * HUMIDITY...5 to 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

INSTRUCTION: A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

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Current U.S. National Radar--Current

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North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds

Shelf Clouds Next Topic: Sleet

A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.

A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen. As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it, because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud, it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.

Next Topic: Sleet

Weather Topic: What is Snow?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow

Snow Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds

Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake, has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure. Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup of snow on the ground.

On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.

Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds

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