Alert archive / Minnesota / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS La Crosse, WI

August 29, 20127 counties in Minnesota; Floyd County, Howard County, Mitchell County, Iowa

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this red flag warning at Aug 29, 2012, 3:28 PM CDT for 7 counties in Minnesota; Floyd County, Howard County, Mitchell County, Iowa. It took effect at Aug 30, 2012, 12:00 PM CDT. 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
Aug 29, 2012, 3:28 PM CDT (20:28 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 30, 2012, 12:00 PM CDT
Expired
Aug 30, 2012, 8:00 PM CDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI

Counties Floyd County, IA, Howard County, IA, Mitchell County, IA, Dodge County, MN, Fillmore County, MN, Houston County, MN, Mower County, MN, Olmsted County, MN, Wabasha County, MN, Winona County, MN

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:30 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

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 161 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2012-08-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 85 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2012-08-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -44 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
85 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-435 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1598 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-44 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-26 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

453 
WWUS83 KARX 292028
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
328 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012

...DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR FIRES ON THURSDAY...

.DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS SUPPORTIVE OF QUICK STARTING AND
FAST MOVING FIRES ARE LIKELY ACROSS SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND
PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA THURSDAY. THIS IS DUE TO A COMBINATION
OF HOT TEMPERATURES IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S...STRONG SOUTHWEST
WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH...AND RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT.

CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE QUICKLY THURSDAY EVENING AS
THE WINDS GRADUALLY SUBSIDE AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY RISES.

WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-292130-
/O.CAN.KARX.FW.A.0003.120830T1700Z-120831T0200Z/
TAYLOR-CLARK-BUFFALO-TREMPEALEAU-JACKSON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-JUNEAU-
ADAMS-
328 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR WESTERN INTO CENTRAL WISCONSIN...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS CANCELLED THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH.

ALTHOUGH THE WEATHER CONDITIONS THURSDAY WILL BE CONDUCIVE FOR
ISOLATED FIRE STARTS...THE GRASSES...TIMBERS...WOODLANDS AND OTHER
FUELS REMAIN BELOW DANGEROUS LEVELS AND WILL BE EASIER TO CONTROL.
AS SUCH...THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED.

$$

IAZ008-009-018-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-300430-
/O.UPG.KARX.FW.A.0003.120830T1700Z-120831T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KARX.FW.W.0004.120830T1700Z-120831T0100Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-FLOYD-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-
HOUSTON-
328 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM CDT THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY. 

* AFFECTED AREA...SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
  IOWA.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S.

* IMPACTS...FIRES COULD START EASILY AND SPREAD QUICKLY.

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.

&&

$$

ZT
4 follow-up statements
883 
WWUS83 KARX 300233
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
933 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012

...DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR FIRES ON THURSDAY...

.DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS SUPPORTIVE OF QUICK STARTING AND
FAST MOVING FIRES ARE LIKELY ACROSS SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND
PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA THURSDAY. THIS IS DUE TO A COMBINATION
OF HOT TEMPERATURES IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S...STRONG SOUTHWEST
WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH...AND RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT.

CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE QUICKLY THURSDAY EVENING AS
THE WINDS GRADUALLY SUBSIDE AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY RISES.

IAZ008-009-018-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-301045-
/O.CON.KARX.FW.W.0004.120830T1700Z-120831T0100Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-FLOYD-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-
HOUSTON-
933 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM CDT
THURSDAY FOR SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA...

* AFFECTED AREA...SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST 
  IOWA. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S.

* IMPACTS...FIRES COULD START EASILY AND SPREAD QUICKLY.

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.

&&

$$
475 
WWUS83 KARX 300855
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
355 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012

...DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR FIRES TODAY...

.THE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY WILL BE VERY CONDUCIVE FOR QUICK
STARTING AND FAST MOVING FIRES ACROSS SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS
OF NORTHEAST IOWA. THIS IS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF TEMPERATURES IN
THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S...STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH
GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH AND RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AROUND 20 PERCENT.

CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE QUICKLY THIS EVENING AS
THE WINDS DIMINISH AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY INCREASES.

IAZ008-009-018-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-301700-
/O.CON.KARX.FW.W.0004.120830T1700Z-120831T0100Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-FLOYD-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-
HOUSTON-
355 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM CDT
THIS EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA...

* AFFECTED AREA...SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST 
  IOWA. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AROUND 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE AND UPPER 90S.

* IMPACTS...FIRES COULD START EASILY AND SPREAD QUICKLY.

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.

&&

$$

BOYNE
672 
WWUS83 KARX 301602
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
1102 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012

...DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR FIRES THROUGH THIS EVENING...

.THE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH THIS EVENING WILL BE VERY CONDUCIVE
FOR QUICK STARTING AND FAST MOVING FIRES ACROSS SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA
AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA. TEMPERATURES WILL TOP OUT IN THE
MIDDLE 90S TO AROUND 100 THIS AFTERNOON. EXPECT STRONG SOUTHWEST
WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH. LOOK FOR MINIMUM
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO DROP TO AROUND 20 PERCENT.

AFTER SUNSET...CONDITIONS WILL QUICKLY IMPROVE AS THE WINDS
DIMINISH AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY INCREASES.

IAZ008-009-018-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-310015-
/O.CON.KARX.FW.W.0004.120830T1700Z-120831T0100Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-FLOYD-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-
HOUSTON-
1102 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
ACROSS SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PARTS OF NORTHEAST IOWA...

* AFFECTED AREA...SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST 
  IOWA. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AROUND 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE 90S TO AROUND 100.

* IMPACTS...FIRES COULD START EASILY AND SPREAD QUICKLY.

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.

&&

$$

ZT
480 
WWUS83 KARX 310056
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
756 PM CDT THU AUG 30 2012

...FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS IMPROVING...

.DIMINISHING WINDS AND RISING HUMIDITIES HAVE IMPROVED THE FIRE
WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS EVENING AND THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL BE
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 8 PM.

IAZ008-009-018-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-310200-
/O.EXP.KARX.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120831T0100Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-FLOYD-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-
HOUSTON-
756 PM CDT THU AUG 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS 
AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS
OF NORTHEAST IOWA

WINDS HAVE DECREASED THIS EVENING...WHILE HUMIDITIES HAVE INCREASED.
THUS...THE CRITICAL AND DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL
IMPROVE AND THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Minnesota, 2012Red Flag Warnings in Iowa, 2012Every red flag warning in 2012

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.