Chip Redmond

Amazing night sky last night near Meeker, CO. #NEOWISE comet over the #GrassyFire was stunning! #cowx #cofire

Unfortunately, I'm afraid this will be a bigger story than rain chances in Kansas next week. #kswx

@wx_chip He was in our training class in 1994 I think

Wait... according to this statement the former Orange Co FD Chief is also a meteorologist?

@ForestryCommish You make a great point on the RFW criteria. Kansas has some offices that use indices and not even wind/RH, so I sympathize (love 'em tho!). Hope in future ya'll could embrace a change to simplify/clarify for public's sake. After all, the goal is the same, prevent wildfires! :)

We appreciate your input and recognize that the weather criteria for the Forestry Commission's Red Flag Fire Alert and the National Weather Service's Red Flag warning are very similar. Because, however, NWS criteria can vary with each NWS office's warning area, the Forestry Commission prefers and reserves the right  to maintain responsibility for its own wildfire-related messaging in the areas of the state over which it has jurisdiction.

I'm confused... Probably a poor name that is a bit too similar to NWS Red Flag Warnings?

Chip Redmond Really need the eastern US ridge to not shift off to the east. This trend would favor a lot more fire weather next week instead of a needed rain event. Hoping this trend reverts as we get closer... #kswx

@ForestryCommish Interesting, thanks for sharing! So, it is an intermediate between a burn ban and nothing. Why not call it something a bit further away from another similar named product that is used from another agency? Just a source of confusion that could be avoided. Just a thought!

In South Carolina, a Red Flag Fire Alert is issued by the Forestry Commission when specific conditions are met. Relative humidity, winds, ground fuel moisture and outdoor activity factor. A Red Flag Fire Alert means conditions are favorable for a fire escaping easily and spreading rapidly. All outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. However, burning is not necessarily illegal. This is the most common notification you’ll see from this agency. Meanwhile, a Red Flag Warning (National Weather Service) is a cautionary statement issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the rapid spread of wildfire. This does not mean outdoor burning is currently illegal. The warning is more commonly used in the western U.S., though it's seen in SC occasionally. Learn more: scfc.gov/protection/fir…

@AnubizzzBurner Yup, definitely a volatile setup typical of early spring but enhanced by drought conditions. There's a fuel advisory for some of this area as well nifc.gov/sites/default/…

I don't know if you're up Chip but Wednesday is giving me bad vibes for Montana and Wyoming, where fires are exhibiting extreme behavior concerningly early 60-65 mph gusts in Montana on Wednesday with low humidity

Another day of wildfires.... Extreme dryness and impressive fire behavior. Thankfully, able to minimize damage to property. #kswx

So, when I see wind forecasts like this (Saturday and Sunday), even if the RH isn't "critical," the potential for large fire on the landscape is greatly increased. We are going to have a fire problem in the state until we get widespread moisture...

Burn environment, even for March standards, is forecasted to become unprecedented for Kansas. Not breaking record ERC records - destroying them (if forecast verifies). For what it is worth, this is a little hot due to only a few stations going into the average. #kswx

Expect a lot of discussion on this outlook change for summer. As I've been saying, current drought may lead to negative feedback until El Nino kicks into gear. The CPC adjusted heavily for this in today's update. #kswx

Reaching peak Flint Hills prescribed fire season. The amount of fire on the landscape yesterday was impressive. #kswx

A fuels advisory has been issued for southern/central Plains for the next 14-ish days. This addresses the rapid drying ongoing with record heat, frost/drought stress/kill and the potential for increased and dangerous fire behavior. #kswx

Gone. Don't think I've seen the perennials just give up. It got really cold. #kswx

Concern level: high. ksnt.com/news/kansas/fu…

@hunterhurleywx @Sekai_WX @OHWXisweird Can you build historical analysis? Forgot to grab this mornings low temperature and would love to see the error in guidance... 12, 24, 48 hrs out... I know it was huge. Thanks for considering!

@wx_chip @Sekai_WX @OHWXisweird Thank you! Its available at hhwx.me/projects/fa/

A strong 700 mb jet ahead of the main front might be enough to get semi-discrete initiation in Arkansas later tonight, ahead of the line. Lower-level hodographs and thermos are good, but 500 mb flow isn't as impressive. Look for nudgers and mergers for sigtor potential later.

@lorigracewx @DiMartinoWX You make a good point. I've been evaluating the quality of sprites from various cameras for some time. Subjectively, sony always seems to do the best. Still, I'm a still guy and the thought of TB of video just creeps me out lol

@wx_chip @DiMartinoWX The sprites were a grab from video. The a1 and a7SIII are excellent at ISO52000 even. But if I were only shooting for sprites on all three cameras the other two would have been images. Nikon prime lenses and the Z7 series are fantastic. I wouldn't spend the money to switch.

A photo of mine with great lighting (and lightning).

@swksfarmer Modeling didn't handle low temperatures well this morning. Off by over 10° and that is a deal breaker for early growth wheat.

Wheat does not look good after 8F

@lorigracewx @DiMartinoWX Awesome! Really trying to convince myself to jump from Nikon to Sony. Was the sprite a video still or a photo? I've always gotten them so faint with the Nikon and I want them to pop better

@wx_chip @DiMartinoWX I was shooting with 3 Sony: a1 shooting sprites, a7SIII shooting thunderstorm, a7RIII shooting satellite launch. Different lenses.