Fire Weather Planning Forecast for the State of Hawai`i
The primary use of the daily Fire Weather Planning Forecast is for fire pre-suppression activities and planning. Issued daily at 5:30 AM HST, this product includes:
- Discussion including meteorological features influencing the weather statewide.
- Forecasts:
- Sky cover and weather
Common sky cover terms Day Only Day or Night Predominant Sky Condition Cloudy Cloudy 8/8 Opaque Clouds Mostly Cloudy, or
Considerable CloudinessMostly Cloudy, or
Considerable Cloudiness6/8 to 7/8 Opaque Clouds Partly Sunny Partly Cloudy 3/8 to 5/8 Opaque Clouds Mostly Sunny Mostly Clear 1/8 to 2/8 Opaque Clouds Sunny Clear 0/8 Opaque Clouds Weather qualifiers for rain or thunderstorm likelihood Qualifying term Areal
coverage termProbability of precipitation (POP) Slight chance (or none) Isolated (or none) 10% or less Slight chance Isolated 20% Chance Scattered 30%, 40%, 50% Likely Numerous 60%, 70% none none 80%, 90%, 100% - Temperature - Forecast maximum for daytime; minimum for nighttime.
- Humidity - Forecast minimum relative humidity for daytime; maximum relative humidity for nighttime.
- Wind - Forecast direction and speed during the most hazardous part of the day, and generally at night. Maximum gusts and erratic winds and/or wind shifts will be given, where necessary.
- Sky cover and weather
- Smoke dispersal (mixing height/inversion level) and transport wind
- 3 to 5 day extended forecast.
Red Flag Warning - issued when meteorological and environmental conditions are expected to result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours. Red Flag Warnings will be issued as a separate product and as a headline in the daily or amended daily Fire Weather Planning Forecast.
Spot Forecasts for Wildfires and Prescribed Burns
The spot forecast is a site-specific, localized forecast for wildfires and prescribed burns. Eye-level winds are generally preferred in the spot forecast since on-site observers will report eye level winds which will also be experienced by the on-site fire suppression team.
The spot forecast includes:
- Discussion of the meteorological factors affecting the particular site during the forecast period.
- Forecasts:
- Sky cover and weather at the site.
Sky cover terms Day Only Day or Night Predominant Sky Condition Cloudy Cloudy 8/8 Opaque Clouds Mostly Cloudy, or
Considerable CloudinessMostly Cloudy, or
Considerable Cloudiness6/8 to 7/8 Opaque Clouds Partly Sunny Partly Cloudy 3/8 to 5/8 Opaque Clouds Mostly Sunny Mostly Clear 1/8 to 2/8 Opaque Clouds Sunny Clear 0/8 Opaque Clouds Qualifiers for rain or thunderstorm Qualifying term Equivalent areal
coverage termEquivalent
probability of precipitation (POP)Slight chance (or none) Isolated (or none) 10% or less Slight chance Isolated 20% Chance Scattered 30%, 40%, 50% Likely Numerous 60%, 70% none none 80%, 90%, 100% - Temperature - Forecast maximum for daytime, minimum for nighttime at the site.
- Humidity - Forecast minimum relative humidity for daytime; maximum relative humidity for nighttime at the site.
- Wind - Forecast direction and speed of the wind during the most hazardous part of the day, and generally at night. The time of maximum gusts and erratic winds and/or wind shifts will be given.
- Sky cover and weather at the site.
- Mixing Height (inversion level) and transport wind may be included.
- Outlook for the following day, or the following night and next day.


