NORFOLK, Va. — A Red Flag Warning issued for much of Virginia has been extended to include the northeast section of North Carolina on Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced.
The warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday, and spans north of the Albermarle Sound in North Carolina.
Winds in the afternoon are forecasted to reach gusts between 20 and 30 mph. Relative humidity could drop to 20-25%.
Red Flag Warnings are hard to come by in southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina due to their locations right near the water, keeping humidity in the region elevated.
In the mid-Atlantic area though, the most common time to have fire weather is early spring.
For the NWS to issue a Red Flag Warning, there are two necessary conditions: gusty winds and low humidity. Dry grass or vegetation also aids in the development of fire weather conditions because dry ground helps to spread wildfires quickly.
When Red Flag Warnings are issued, it's best to limit outdoor burning. This means that the barbeque you may have planned needs to be postponed.
In any given year in Virginia, however, a burn ban is typically in place before 4 p.m. through April 30 for any fires within 300 feet of woods.
Here are a few tips from the 13News Now Weather Team and NWS to know during fire weather conditions:
- Clear any flammable brush away from your home.
- Do not throw cigarettes out of our car window.
- Compile an emergency kit. Your kit should have water, non-perishable food, a flashlight with batteries, etc.
- Know your evacuation plan.
It also helps to have an understanding of weather terms.
A Fire Weather Watch will be issued up to three days before the expected fire weather danger. Meanwhile, a Red Flag Warning means that the area is under dangerous fire weather conditions within the next 24 hours.
The last time a Red Flag Warning was issued for Hampton Roads was April 18, 2023.