A RED FLAG WARNING for Potter County, Pa., east has been issued by National Weather Service (NWS) offices at State College, Pa., and Binghamton until 8PM today with the national Storm Prediction Center (SPC) providing an ELEVATED LEVEL of fire weather alert for Allegany and surrounding counties.
An AIR QUALITY ALERT of Unhealthy for Sensitive People, as we reported yesterday, also is in effect for Allegany County east until midnight today.
The SPC reports that a “highly unusual scenario supporting wildfire spread is possible today across parts of the Northeast,” with dry and breezy surface conditions and dry thunderstorms being possible this afternoon.
“Gusty, erratic winds may also accompany the storms,” it says, “further aggravating fire conditions.”
Map explained
The NWS at State College shows the “Elevated” risk in orange, and the higher “Critical” risk in red on the SPC map. The brown hatched area outlines where isolated dry thunderstorms are possible.
These are storms with lightning which have little to no rain, it explains, and are “quite rare,” in this region, usually being found in the Western United States.
“Dry thunderstorms may start fires, especially if lightning strikes drier grasses and fine fuels,” according to the NYS at State College. “Stay weather aware today!”
Further information on air quality standards is available at https://on.ny.gov/3UAyHx6, with daily map ratings at https://on.ny.gov/3GIzbvE.
Being Aware, Prepared, and Staying Safe
Allegany Hope is a Weather-Ready Nation AmbassadorTM and provides both adverse weather and other emergency preparedness and weather education information on this website and on our new group Allegany Hope WNY Community News Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3DRdx6J.
Our new Weather Resources page of forecasts and other information from National Weather Services offices at Buffalo, for Allegany County west, Binghamton for Steuben County east, and State College, Pa., for Potter and McKean counties in Pennsylvania, along with regional and national data, also is available through the link on this website or at https://bit.ly/3YAlcPI.
“Like” and “Share” this website and that page, along with applicable posts, with family members and friends to help keep them informed about what is happening in Allegany County and beyond.
Emergency alerts reporting should not be considered a substitute for immediate weather alert radio or portable instant warning devices.
As always, we are seeking volunteers who have an interest in weather and other types of disaster preparedness to expand our coverage and community education. For further information, contact us at AlleganyHopeWNY@outlook.com.