Weather Alert in Iowa

Recent Locations: Decatur, TN   Sioux City, IA   Granite Bay, CA  
Current Alerts for Sioux City, IA: Red Flag Warning Wind Advisory

Red Flag Warning issued February 18 at 4:20AM CST until February 18 at 7:00PM CST by NWS La Crosse WI

AREAS AFFECTED: Mitchell; Howard; Winneshiek; Allamakee; Floyd; Chickasaw; Fayette; Clayton

DESCRIPTION: ...Critical fire weather conditions likely for northeast Iowa today... .The combination of strong winds and very dry conditions are favored to lead to critical fire weather conditions in northeast Iowa today, particularly in areas dominated by tall grasses. While shorter grasses and shrubs may remain damp due to recent melt of snowpack atop still frozen deeper soils, tall grasses may have dried enough to become receptive to ignition and rapid spread. * AFFECTED AREA...In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette and Clayton. * TIMING...From noon today to 7 PM CST this evening. * WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent. * TEMPERATURES...Up to 58. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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

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

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

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