An update should be considered whenever wind speed is much stronger or lighter than previously expected. Differences of 10 to 15 miles an hour in most cases are significant and may apply to gustiness. The updated forecast will be in the same format as the routine 0700 product and will be issued through the same communications channels. Since users may not be expecting the update, those affected will be notified by telephone that an update was issued. The request may be made by phone any hour of the day.
Forms are available from the weather office in Memphis.
The weather office in Memphis will telephone all special forecasts to the requesting agency, usually within 30 minutes of the request. Response time in non emergency situations may be delayed because of higher priority duties of the forecaster. It consist of a complex model of fuel and weather parameters input on a daily basis to obtain a numeric output that indicates the severity of fire danger in a area representative of the input values. The ideal site would be one on a south or west facing slope without obstructions to wind. Parameters measured include weather and fuel moisture with observation time around 1 pm LST daily.