Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2011

Red Flag Warning 2, NWS Great Falls, MT

August 16, 201117 counties in Montana

NWS Great Falls, MT issued this red flag warning at Aug 16, 2011, 3:15 PM MDT for 17 counties in Montana. It took effect at Aug 17, 2011, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 9 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
Aug 16, 2011, 3:15 PM MDT (21:15 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 17, 2011, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Aug 17, 2011, 9:00 PM MDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Great Falls, MT

Counties Blaine County, MT, Broadwater County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Chouteau County, MT, Fergus County, MT, Gallatin County, MT, Glacier County, MT, Hill County, MT, Jefferson County, MT, Judith Basin County, MT, Lewis and Clark County, MT, Liberty County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Phillips County, MT, Pondera County, MT, Teton County, MT, Toole County, MT

The radar

The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:22 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

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 12:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 30 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, Great_falls, MT at 12:00Z on 2011-08-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.1000850700500300200100-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Great_falls, MT at 12:00Z on 2011-08-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 5 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 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
4225 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
20 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.

139 
WWUS85 KTFX 162115
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
315 PM MDT TUE AUG 16 2011

MTZ112>115-117-118-170400-
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0002.110817T1800Z-110818T0300Z/
EASTERN GLACIER/TOOLE/CENTRAL AND EASTERN PONDERA/LIBERTY
COUNTIES-HILL AND BLAINE COUNTIES-
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
315 PM MDT TUE AUG 16 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT WEDNESDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
112...113...114...115...117 AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW
5500 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREAT FALLS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 5500 FEET FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT
WEDNESDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112...113...114...115...117
  AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 5500 FEET.

* WINDS...EXPECT WEST WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH...WITH GUSTS AROUND
  35 MPH DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON AND EVENING RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
  WILL RANGE FROM 12 TO 17 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...WITH DRY CONDITIONS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...THE GRASSY
  AREAS HAVE DRIED OUT. THUS...WITH THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS
  AND LOW HUMIDITIES...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT ANY NEW FIRE
  STARTS IN THE WARNED AREA COULD GROW RAPIDLY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THESE
AREAS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
4 follow-up statements
583 
WWUS85 KTFX 170322
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
922 PM MDT TUE AUG 16 2011

MTZ112>115-117-118-171200-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0002.110817T1800Z-110818T0300Z/
EASTERN GLACIER/TOOLE/CENTRAL AND EASTERN PONDERA/LIBERTY
COUNTIES-HILL AND BLAINE COUNTIES-
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
922 PM MDT TUE AUG 16 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT
WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 112...113...114...115...117 AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS
BELOW 5500 FEET...

A RED FLAG WARNING BELOW 5500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO
9 PM MDT WEDNESDAY. 

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112...113...114...115...117 
  AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 5500 FEET. 

* WINDS...WEST 10 TO 20 MPH...WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WIDESPREAD HUMIDITIES OF 15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...WITH DRY CONDITIONS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...THE GRASSY 
  AREAS HAVE DRIED OUT. THUS...WITH THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY 
  WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT ANY NEW 
  FIRE STARTS IN THE WARNED AREA COULD GROW RAPIDLY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THESE
AREAS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
822 
WWUS85 KTFX 171018
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
418 AM MDT WED AUG 17 2011

MTZ112>115-117-118-172100-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0002.110817T1800Z-110818T0300Z/
EASTERN GLACIER/TOOLE/CENTRAL AND EASTERN PONDERA/LIBERTY
COUNTIES-HILL AND BLAINE COUNTIES-
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
418 AM MDT WED AUG 17 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 112...113...114...115...117 AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS
BELOW 5500 FEET...

A RED FLAG WARNING BELOW 5500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON
TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING. 

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112...113...114...115...117 
  AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 5500 FEET. 

* WINDS...WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WIDESPREAD RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AROUND 15 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...WITH DRY CONDITIONS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...THE GRASSY 
  AREAS HAVE DRIED OUT. THUS...WITH THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY 
  WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT ANY NEW 
  FIRE STARTS IN THE WARNED AREA COULD GROW RAPIDLY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THESE
AREAS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
166 
WWUS85 KTFX 172044
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
244 PM MDT WED AUG 17 2011

MTZ112>115-117-118-180300-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110818T0300Z/
EASTERN GLACIER/TOOLE/CENTRAL AND EASTERN PONDERA/LIBERTY
COUNTIES-HILL AND BLAINE COUNTIES-
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
244 PM MDT WED AUG 17 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
112...113...114...115...117 AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW
5500 FEET...

A RED FLAG WARNING BELOW 5500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM
MDT THIS EVENING. 

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112...113...114...115...117 
  AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 5500 FEET. 

* WINDS...WEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 11 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...WITH DRY CONDITIONS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...GRASSY
  AREAS HAVE DRIED OUT. THUS...WITH THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS
  AND LOW HUMIDITIES...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT ANY NEW FIRE
  STARTS IN THE WARNED AREA COULD SPREAD RAPIDLY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THESE
AREAS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
269 
WWUS85 KTFX 180243
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
843 PM MDT WED AUG 17 2011

...THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING AS
FIRE CONDITIONS IMPROVE...

MTZ112>115-117-118-180345-
/O.EXP.KTFX.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110818T0300Z/
EASTERN GLACIER/TOOLE/CENTRAL AND EASTERN PONDERA/LIBERTY
COUNTIES-HILL AND BLAINE COUNTIES-
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
843 PM MDT WED AUG 17 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
112...113...114...115...117 AND 118 FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW
5500 FEET...

THE RED FLAG WARNING BELOW 5500 FEET WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING. 

DRY CONDITIONS AND BREEZY WINDS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ABOUT THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ACROSS THE PLAINS. THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE
STARTS TO SPREAD QUICKLY WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE THROUGH THE
NIGHT AS TEMPERATURES COOL AND HUMIDITY RISES.

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Montana, 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.