Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2011

Red Flag Warning 44, NWS Pueblo, CO

May 18, 20114 counties in Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this red flag warning at May 18, 2011, 3:34 PM MDT for 4 counties in Colorado. It took effect at May 19, 2011, 12:00 PM MDT. 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
May 18, 2011, 3:34 PM MDT (21:34 UTC)
In effect from
May 19, 2011, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
May 19, 2011, 8:00 PM MDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO

Counties Baca County, CO, Bent County, CO, Las Animas County, CO, Prowers County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 137 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:35 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 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 249 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 12:00Z on 2011-05-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 19 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 12:00Z on 2011-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 3 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
19 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-37 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
625 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
99 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.

930 
WWUS85 KPUB 182134
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
334 PM MDT WED MAY 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR GUSTY WINDS...LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES...AND DRY FUELS...FROM NOON UNTIL 8 PM
THURSDAY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...235...236...AND 237...WHICH
INCLUDES EASTERN LAS ANIMAS...PROWERS...BENT AND BACA COUNTIES...

COZ233-236-237-191345-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0032.110519T1800Z-110520T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0044.110519T1800Z-110520T0200Z/
EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
334 PM MDT WED MAY 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...236 AND
237...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT THURSDAY. THE
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...236 AND 237. IN PROWERS
  COUNTY...THE MAIN AREA AFFECT WILL BE THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTY.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM VALUES OF 12 TO 15 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH RAPID
  RATES OF FIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD...IF A FIRE SHOULD START.


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.

&&

$$

COZ235-191345-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0044.110519T1800Z-110520T0200Z/
BENT COUNTY-
334 PM MDT WED MAY 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 235...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT THURSDAY. 


* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 235...MAINLY AFFECTING THE
  SOUTHERN HALF OF BENT COUNTY.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 35 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM VALUES OF 12 TO 15 PERCENT. 

* IMPACTS...EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH RAPID
  RATES OF FIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD...IF A FIRE SHOULD START.


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.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
607 
WWUS85 KPUB 190516
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1116 PM MDT WED MAY 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR GUSTY WINDS...LOW MINIMUM RELATIVE
HUMIDITY VALUES...AND GENERALLY DRY FUELS...FROM NOON UNTIL 8 PM
THURSDAY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...235...236...AND 237...WHICH
INCLUDES EASTERN LAS ANIMAS...PROWERS...BENT AND BACA COUNTIES...

COZ233-235>237-192130-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0044.110519T1800Z-110520T0200Z/
EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-BENT COUNTY-PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
1116 PM MDT WED MAY 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT
THURSDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
233...236 AND 237...

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...235...236 AND 237. IN
  BENT AND PROWERS COUNTY...THE MAIN AREA IMPACTED WILL BE THE
  OVER THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE RESPECTIVE COUNTIES.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH
  AT TIMES.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM VALUES OF 12 TO 15 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH RAPID 
  RATES OF FIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD...IF A FIRE SHOULD START.

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.

&&

$$
564 
WWUS85 KPUB 191027
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
427 AM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR GUSTY WINDS...LOW MINIMUM
RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES...AND GENERALLY DRY FUELS...FROM NOON
UNTIL 8 PM TODAY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...236...AND
237...WHICH INCLUDES EASTERN LAS ANIMAS...PROWERS...AND BACA
COUNTIES...

COZ235-191130-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FW.W.0044.110519T1800Z-110520T0200Z/
BENT COUNTY-
427 AM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 235...

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

THE RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR BENT COUNTY. A LIGHT
RAINFALL HAS OCCURRED ACROSS CENTRAL AND WESTERN PORTIONS OF BENT
COUNTY LATE TONIGHT...AND LATEST FORECAST MODELS SUGGEST THAT
HUMIDITIES WILL STAY ABOVE 15 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON EVEN AS WINDS
INCREASE OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT 15 TO 25 MPH LATER TODAY.
THEREFORE THE RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

$$

COZ233-236-237-200200-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0044.110519T1800Z-110520T0200Z/
EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
427 AM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 233...236 AND 237...

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...236 AND 237. 

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH
  AT TIMES ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON...ESPECIALLY ACROSS
  SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE AREA. 

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM VALUES OF 12 TO 15 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH RAPID 
  RATES OF FIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD...IF A FIRE SHOULD START.

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.

&&

$$
489 
WWUS85 KPUB 192119
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
319 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GUSTY WINDS...LOW
MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND GENERALLY DRY FUELS...UNTIL 8 PM
TODAY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...236...AND 237... WHICH INCLUDES
EASTERN LAS ANIMAS...PROWERS...AND BACA COUNTIES...

COZ233-236-237-200200-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0044.000000T0000Z-110520T0200Z/
EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
319 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...
236 AND 237...

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 233...236 AND 237.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH WILL
  CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS EVENING...ESPECIALLY
  ACROSS BACA COUNTY.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM VALUES OF 12 TO 15 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH RAPID 
  RATES OF FIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD...IF A FIRE SHOULD START.

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.

&&

$$
001 
WWUS85 KPUB 200141
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
741 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
233...236...AND 237... WHICH INCLUDES EASTERN LAS ANIMAS...PROWERS...AND
BACA COUNTIES...

COZ233-236-237-200245-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0044.000000T0000Z-110520T0200Z/
EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-PROWERS COUNTY-BACA COUNTY-
741 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
WEATHER ZONES 233...236 AND 237...


$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 18, 4:42 AM MDTFire Weather WatchPUBBaca, Las Animas, Prowers11 hr
May 18, 4:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero67 min
May 18, 5:34 PM MDTTornado WarningPUBCrowley, Kiowa, Otero41 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 2011Every red flag warning in 2011

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.