Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2009

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Pueblo, CO

February 5, 200915 counties in Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this red flag warning at Feb 5, 2009, 7:53 PM MST for 15 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Feb 6, 2009, 11:00 AM MST. It was in force for 8 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 5, 2009, 7:53 PM MST (02:53 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 6, 2009, 11:00 AM MST
Expired
Feb 6, 2009, 7:07 PM MST
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO

Counties Baca County, CO, Bent County, CO, Costilla County, CO, Crowley County, CO, Custer County, CO, El Paso County, CO, Fremont County, CO, Huerfano County, CO, Kiowa County, CO, Las Animas County, CO, Otero County, CO, Prowers County, CO, Pueblo County, CO, Saguache County, CO, Teller County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:54 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 00:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 221 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2009-02-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2009-02-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 3 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
5937 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WWUS85 KPUB 060253
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
753 PM MST THU FEB 5 2009

...A RED FLAG WARNING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS
HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...FROM 11 AM TO 8
PM...FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 221...222...225 THROUGH 237...WHICH
INCLUDES THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND THE I-25 CORRIDOR EASTWARD TO
THE KANSAS BORDER...

.THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO...IN COORDINATION WITH
AREA LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES...HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR
FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. AN UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM APPROACHING FROM THE
WEST IS EXPECTED TO CREATE GUSTY DOWNSLOPE WINDS FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY EVENING. THESE WINDS...COUPLED WITH THE HIGH
TEMPERATURES AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL CREATE CONDITIONS
FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WITH RAPID RATES OF SPREAD
LIKELY. ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN AREAS...RED FLAG CONDITIONS WILL BE
CONFINED TO THE EXPOSED LOWER ELEVATIONS WHICH LACK SNOW COVER.

COZ221-222-225>237-061900-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0002.090206T1800Z-090207T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0004.090206T1800Z-090207T0300Z/
TELLER COUNTY/RAMPART RANGE-FREMONT COUNTY-SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE-
NORTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-SOUTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-PUEBLO COUNTY-
HUERFANO COUNTY-WESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-CROWLEY COUNTY-
OTERO COUNTY-EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-KIOWA COUNTY-BENT COUNTY-
PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
753 PM MST THU FEB 5 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY. THE
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

THIS RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS...THE I-25 CORRIDOR EASTWARD TO THE KANSAS
BORDER.

WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM THE WEST AT 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO
40 MPH ACROSS THE PLAINS...AND GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH ACROSS THE
MOUNTAIN AREAS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON. WARM TEMPERATURES WILL ALLOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO DROP TO BELOW 15 PERCENT. COMBINED WITH THE
DRY FUELS...EXTENDING ACROSS THE SNOW BARE LOWER EASTERN SLOPES OF
THE SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS AND ALL OF THE SOUTHEAST PLAINS...WILL
PRODUCE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR FRIDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS85 KPUB 061340
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
640 AM MST FRI FEB 6 2009

...A RED FLAG WARNING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS
HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...FROM 11 AM TO 8
PM...FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 221...222...225 THROUGH 237...WHICH
INCLUDES THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND THE I-25 CORRIDOR EASTWARD TO
THE KANSAS BORDER...

.THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO...IN COORDINATION WITH
AREA LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES...HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. AN UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM APPROACHING FROM
THE WEST IS EXPECTED TO CREATE GUSTY DOWNSLOPE WINDS THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING. THESE WINDS...COUPLED WITH THE
EXISTING DRY CONDITIONS...UNSEASONABLY WARM EARLY FEBRUARY 
TEMPERATURES AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL CREATE CONDITIONS
FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WITH RAPID RATES OF SPREAD
LIKELY. ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN AREAS...RED FLAG CONDITIONS WILL BE
CONFINED TO THE EXPOSED LOWER ELEVATIONS WHICH LACK SNOW COVER.

COZ221-222-225>237-070300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0004.090206T1800Z-090207T0300Z/
TELLER COUNTY/RAMPART RANGE-FREMONT COUNTY-SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE-
NORTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-SOUTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-PUEBLO COUNTY-
HUERFANO COUNTY-WESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-CROWLEY COUNTY-
OTERO COUNTY-EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-KIOWA COUNTY-BENT COUNTY-
PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
640 AM MST FRI FEB 6 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM MST THIS EVENING...

A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM 
MST THIS EVENING.

THIS RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS...THE I-25 CORRIDOR EASTWARD TO THE KANSAS
BORDER.

WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM THE WEST AT 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP
TO 40 MPH AT TIMES ACROSS THE PLAINS...WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 
MPH AT TIMES ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN AREAS BY THIS AFTERNOON. WARM
TEMPERATURES WILL ALLOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO DROP TO BELOW 15
PERCENT. COMBINED WITH THE DRY FUELS...EXTENDING ACROSS THE SNOW
BARE LOWER EASTERN SLOPES OF THE SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS AND INTO ALL
OF THE SOUTHEAST PLAINS...CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE
BEHAVIOR ARE ANTICIPATED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
EXISTING DRY CONDITIONS...STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY 
AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH
POTENTIAL.

&&

$$
000 
WWUS85 KPUB 062223
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
323 PM MST FRI FEB 6 2009

...A RED FLAG WARNING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS
IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM...FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 221...222...225
THROUGH 237...WHICH INCLUDES THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND THE I-25
CORRIDOR EASTWARD TO THE KANSAS BORDER...

.THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO...IN COORDINATION WITH
AREA LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES...HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING
UNTIL 8 PM. AN UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM APPROACHING FROM THE WEST WILL
CONTINUE TO CREATE GUSTY DOWNSLOPE WINDS FOR THE REST OF THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING. THESE WINDS..THE EXISTING
DRY CONDITIONS...THE UNSEASONABLY WARM EARLY FEBRUARY TEMPERATURES
AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL CREATE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR
EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WITH RAPID RATES OF SPREAD LIKELY. ACROSS
THE MOUNTAIN AREAS...RED FLAG CONDITIONS WILL BE CONFINED TO THE
EXPOSED LOWER ELEVATIONS WHICH LACK SNOW COVER.

COZ221-222-225>237-070300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090207T0300Z/
TELLER COUNTY/RAMPART RANGE-FREMONT COUNTY-SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE-
NORTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-SOUTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-PUEBLO COUNTY-
HUERFANO COUNTY-WESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-CROWLEY COUNTY-
OTERO COUNTY-EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-KIOWA COUNTY-BENT COUNTY-
PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
323 PM MST FRI FEB 6 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS
EVENING...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING.

THIS RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS...THE I-25 CORRIDOR EASTWARD TO THE KANSAS
BORDER.

WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FROM THE WEST AT 20 TO 30 MPH WITH
GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH AT TIMES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN AND
PLAINS...THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS EVENING. WARM TEMPERATURES
WILL ALLOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO DROP TO BELOW 15 PERCENT.
COMBINED WITH THE DRY FUELS...EXTENDING ACROSS THE SNOW BARE LOWER
EASTERN SLOPES OF THE SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS AND INTO ALL OF THE
SOUTHEAST PLAINS...CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR
ARE ANTICIPATED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
EXISTING DRY CONDITIONS...STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH
POTENTIAL.

&&

$$

JMC
000 
WWUS85 KPUB 070207
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
707 PM MST FRI FEB 6 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING CANCELLED...

.AFTER RED FLAG WARNING CONDITIONS LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH EARLY
THIS EVENING...SURFACE WINDS WERE DECREASING...TEMPERATURES
COOLING...AND HUMIDITY VALUES RISING. THUS...THE RED FLAG WARNING
HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

COZ221-222-225>237-070315-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090207T0300Z/
TELLER COUNTY/RAMPART RANGE-FREMONT COUNTY-SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE-
NORTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-SOUTHERN EL PASO COUNTY-PUEBLO COUNTY-
HUERFANO COUNTY-WESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-CROWLEY COUNTY-
OTERO COUNTY-EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-KIOWA COUNTY-BENT COUNTY-
PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
707 PM MST FRI FEB 6 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS CANCELLED THE RED FLAG
WARNING. 

AFTER RED FLAG WARNING CONDITIONS LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH EARLY
THIS EVENING...SURFACE WINDS WERE DECREASING...TEMPERATURES
COOLING...AND HUMIDITY VALUES RISING. THUS...THE RED FLAG WARNING
HAS BEEN CANCELLED ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST COLORADO MOUNTAINS TO THE
SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO PLAINS.

$$

METZE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 6, 4:00 PM MSTWinter Storm WatchPUBAlamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, El Paso and 9 more19 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 2009Every red flag warning in 2009

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.