Weather Alert in Nebraska

Recent Locations: Wayne, NE

Red Flag Warning issued February 15 at 12:20AM CST until February 15 at 6:00PM CST by NWS North Platte NE

AREAS AFFECTED: Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR; Sandhills/Valentine NWR/Nebraska National Forest; Niobrara Valley/Fort Niobrara NWR/Samuel R McKelvie National Forest; Loup Rivers Basin; Frenchman Basin; Loess Plains

DESCRIPTION: ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED SUNDAY AFTERNOON... .A combination of near record high temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty southwest winds are expected to lead to critical fire weather conditions across all of western and north central Nebraska. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 204 Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR, Fire Weather Zone 206 Sandhills/Valentine NWR/Nebraska National Forest, Fire Weather Zone 208 Niobrara Valley/Fort Niobrara NWR/Samuel R McKelvie National Forest, Fire Weather Zone 209 Loup Rivers Basin, Fire Weather Zone 210 Frenchman Basin and Fire Weather Zone 219 Loess Plains. * TIMING...Noon CST through 6 PM CST or 11 AM MST through 5 PM MST. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 14 percent. * TEMPERATURES...Up to 69 degrees. * LIGHTNING...Not expected * IMPACTS...Any fire starts will rapidly grow and spread.

INSTRUCTION: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Drizzle

Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.

Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall, becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds. When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.

Next Topic: Drizzle