The National Weather Service provides definitions for various weather alerts and warnings related to fires, heat, and lake winds to support emergency preparedness and public safety.

Services include:

• Fire Alerts:
  • Red Flag Warning: Issued for weather conditions that may result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours.
  • Fire Weather Watch: Issued when conditions could lead to extreme fire behavior within the next 12–72 hours.
• Heat Alerts:
  • Excessive Heat Watch: Potential for heat index values to exceed hazardous levels within 24–48 hours.
  • Excessive Heat Warning: Expected hazardous heat index values within 12–24 hours.
  • Heat Advisory: Conditions that may cause discomfort or heat-related illnesses within 12–24 hours.
• Lake Wind Advisory: Issued when windy conditions on lakes may be hazardous for recreational activities.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.weather.gov/

• Weather Definitions - https://www.weather.gov/lwx/WarningsDefined

• Ready Nevada County Handbook (English, 2024) - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/44617/2024-Ready-Set-Go-Handbook-PDF?bidId=

• Ready Nevada County Handbook (Spanish, 2021) - https://www.mynevadacounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/38907/RNC2021_Handbook-Spanish-WEB?bidId=

• Heat Index Information - https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-index

• Lake Wind Advisory (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Wind_Advisory

• National Weather Service (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Weather_Service