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By Larry Felton Johnson
The National Weather Service issued a dangerous weather forecast warning of a high fire risk in Cobb County and much of northern Georgia on Friday, October 14, followed by a cold front and the possibility of thunderstorms early next week.
What does the statement say?
The declaration contains the following details:
“This dangerous weather forecast applies to parts of north and central Georgia.
“.DAY ONE…Tonight and tonight…
“A high risk of fire is expected this afternoon
tonight in North Georgia due to low relative humidity
and gusty wind. Relative humidities of 25 percent or less can be
expected 4 hours or more this afternoon through tonight.
Winds will be 5 to 10 MPH from the west with gusts up to 15 MPH.
“. DAYS TWO TO SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday…
“A cold front will cross the area early next week
Potential for rain showers and thunderstorms followed by cold weather
Temperatures in North Georgia. Current forecast lows overnight
will make the potential sensitive to frost and frost
Vegetation from Monday night, so please keep watching
the forecast.
This dangerous weather outlook applies to parts of north and central Georgia.
“.DAY ONE…Tonight and tonight…
“A high risk of fire is expected this afternoon
tonight in North Georgia due to low relative humidity
and gusty wind. Relative humidities of 25 percent or less can be
expected 4 hours or more this afternoon through tonight.
Winds will be 5 to 10 MPH from the west with gusts up to 15 MPH.
“. DAYS TWO TO SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday…
“A cold front will cross the area early next week
Potential for rain showers and thunderstorms followed by cold weather
Temperatures in North Georgia. Current forecast lows overnight
will make the potential sensitive to frost and frost
Vegetation from Monday night, so please keep watching
the forecast.”
Why does low relative humidity increase the risk of fire?
Published by the National Park Service the following explanation Why low relative humidity increases the risk of fire:
“Relative humidity is important because dead forest fuel and the air are constantly exchanging moisture. Low humidity pulls moisture from fuels, and fuels in turn pull moisture from the air when humidity is high.
“Light fuels such as grass and pine needles gain and lose moisture rapidly with changes in relative humidity. As relative humidity decreases, burning performance increases as these fine combustibles become drier.
“Heavy fuels, on the other hand, react more slowly to changes in humidity. To see significant changes in heavy oil moisture, there has to be significant moisture, usually from more than a single storm.”
Which counties are affected?
The following counties are included in the hazardous weather forecast:
Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lumpkin, Macon, Madison, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach,
Pickens, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Schley, South Fulton, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Warren , Washington, Webster, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson
What precautions to take?
The National Weather Service recommends extreme caution when burning outdoors when there is a high risk of fire and that you check your local fire codes.
>> To read a summary of Cobb County’s Fire Codes, follow this link
About the National Weather Service
The National Weather Service (NWS) is part of the National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA).
The NWS describes its role as follows:
“The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water and climate forecasts and alerts for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas to protect life and property and strengthen the national economy.
“These services include forecasts and observations, warnings, impact-based decision support services and education in an effort to build a weather-ready nation.
“The ultimate goal is a society that is prepared for and responsive to weather, water and climate events.”
Read all of Cobb County Courier’s climate and weather coverage by following this link.
