Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 2, NWS Billings, MT

March 15, 201217 counties in Montana; Sheridan County, Wyoming

NWS Billings, MT issued this red flag warning at Mar 15, 2012, 3:58 AM MDT for 17 counties in Montana; Sheridan County, Wyoming. It took effect at Mar 15, 2012, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 3 days. 7 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 15, 2012, 3:58 AM MDT (09:58 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 15, 2012, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Mar 18, 2012, 8:40 PM MDT
In force
3 days
Issued by
NWS Billings, MT

Counties Big Horn County, MT, Carbon County, MT, Carter County, MT, Custer County, MT, Fallon County, MT, Gallatin County, MT, Golden Valley County, MT, Madison County, MT, Musselshell County, MT, Park County, MT, Powder River County, MT, Rosebud County, MT, Stillwater County, MT, Sweet Grass County, MT, Treasure County, MT, Wheatland County, MT, Yellowstone County, MT, Sheridan County, WY

The radar

The Billings radar (KBLX), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:58 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 16, 3:11 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 594 Nne Mcallister, MTNORRIS HILL DOT MEASURES 59 MPH WIND GUST.
Mar 17, 6:00 AM MDTSNOW 4Big Sky, MTESTIMATED 3 TO 4 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE BIG SKY AREA IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
Mar 17, 6:00 AM MDTSNOW 1010 S West Yellowstone, MTESTIMATED 10 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE IN PAST 24 HOURS AT THE BLACK BEAR SNOTEL. ELEVATION IS 8170 FEET.
Mar 17, 8:00 AM MDTSNOW 1012 Wnw West Yellowstone, MTESTIMATED 10 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS AT THE LIONHEAD RIDGE. REPORT VIA GNFAC.
Mar 17, 9:00 AM MDTHEAVY SNOW 11.216 Ne Island Park, MT40-HOUR ACCUMULATION FROM THE BLACK BEAR SNOWTEL SITE, ELEVATION 8,150 FEET.
Mar 17, 9:30 PM MDTHEAVY SNOW 1214 Nne Lakeview, MTTEPEE CREEK SNOTEL MEASURES 12.0 INCHES OF SNOW IN 24-HOURS.
Mar 18, 6:00 AM MDTHEAVY SNOW 1221 S Big Sky, MTESTIMATED 12 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS AT THE CARROT BASIN SNOTEL. ELEVATION IS 9000 FEET.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 00:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 264 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 00:00Z on 2012-03-15Temperature 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, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2012-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 42 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
2104 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
42 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
43 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.

054 
WWUS85 KBYZ 150958
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
358 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

MTZ124>129-152200-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.FW.A.0001.120316T1200Z-120317T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.120315T1800Z-120317T0300Z/
WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
358 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND
COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 5000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...124...125...126...127
                                            128...129

* IMPACTS...GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND
  CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST
  BEHIND COLD FRONT ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL DIMINISH LATE
  FRIDAY EVENING. TEMPERATURES TODAY AND FRIDAY WILL BE NEAR
  RECORD LEVELS WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES. EXPECT POOR
  RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERIES TONIGHT.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. WINDS
  WILL TURN WEST TO NORTHWEST BEHIND COLD FRONT FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 22 PERCENT TODAY AND FRIDAY. POOR RECOVERIES TONIGHT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...FRIDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 4 PM. 


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.

&&

$$

MTZ123-152200-
/O.NEW.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.120315T1800Z-120317T0300Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-
358 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND 
A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
MONTANA BELOW 5000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY. 

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONE....123

* IMPACTS...GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND
  CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST
  BEHIND COLD FRONT ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL DIMINISH LATE
  FRIDAY EVENING. TEMPERATURES TODAY AND FRIDAY WILL BE NEAR
  RECORD LEVELS WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES. EXPECT POOR
  RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERIES TONIGHT.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH. WINDS
  WILL TURN WEST TO NORTHWEST BEHIND COLD FRONT FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...16 TO 22 PERCENT TODAY AND FRIDAY. POOR RECOVERIES TONIGHT.

* TEMPERATURES...62 TO 69 DEGREES.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...FRIDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 4 PM.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-152200-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.A.0001.120316T1200Z-120317T0300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
358 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...WARM TEMPERATURES...
STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR
ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274
 
* IMPACTS...GUSTY SOUTH WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY WILL DEVELOP EARLY
  FRIDAY. NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
  WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE AREA FRIDAY
  AFTERNOON. EXPECT A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT TO STRONG WEST NORTHWEST
  WINDS BEHIND THE FRONT LASTING INTO FRIDAY EVENING. 

* WIND...SOUTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH...SHIFTING TO
  THE WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH BEHIND THE COLD FRONT.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 18 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...FRIDAY 3 PM TO 6 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
12 follow-up statements
778 
WWUS85 KBYZ 151641
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
1041 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

MTZ123>129-160445-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.120315T1800Z-120317T0300Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
1041 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND COLD
FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR ALL OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND PARTS
OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 5000 FEET...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...123...124...125...126
                                            127...128...129

* IMPACTS...GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON 
  AND CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BECOMING WEST TO 
  NORTHWEST BEHIND A COLD FRONT ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL 
  DIMINISH LATE FRIDAY EVENING. TEMPERATURES TODAY AND FRIDAY 
  WILL BE NEAR RECORD LEVELS WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES. 
  EXPECT POOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERIES TONIGHT. 

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. WINDS 
  WILL TURN WEST TO NORTHWEST BEHIND A COLD FRONT ON FRIDAY 
  AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 22 PERCENT TODAY AND FRIDAY. POOR RECOVERIES 
  TONIGHT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...FRIDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 4 PM.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-160445-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.A.0001.120316T1200Z-120317T0300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
1041 AM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...WARM TEMPERATURES...
STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...
AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...GUSTY SOUTH WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY WILL DEVELOP 
  EARLY FRIDAY. NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES AND LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITIES WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE 
  AREA FRIDAY AFTERNOON. EXPECT A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT TO STRONG 
  WEST NORTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE FRONT LASTING INTO FRIDAY 
  EVENING. 

* WIND...SOUTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH...SHIFTING 
  TO THE WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH BEHIND THE COLD 
  FRONT. 

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 18 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...FRIDAY 3 PM TO 6 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
588 
WWUS85 KBYZ 152154
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
354 PM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-161200-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.FW.A.0001.120316T1200Z-120317T0300Z/
/O.EXB.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.120316T1600Z-120317T0300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
354 PM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND COLD
FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF
NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY. THE
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED DUE TO A
  COMBINATION OF GUSTY...SHIFTING WINDS...NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES
  AND LOW HUMIDITY. A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA DURING
  THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON ON FRIDAY...CAUSING SOUTHWEST WINDS TO
  SHIFT TO THE WEST OR NORTHWEST.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH...SHIFTING TO
  THE WEST OR NORTHWEST AT 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH AS A
  COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH BY MID TO LATE AFTERNOON ON FRIDAY.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 18 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE 70S.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...ON FRIDAY...BETWEEN 3 PM AND 7 PM MDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ123>129-161200-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
354 PM MDT THU MAR 15 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND COLD
FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR ALL OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND PARTS
OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...123...124...125...126
                                            127...128...129

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  FRIDAY EVENING. GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WEST AND
  NORTHWEST ON FRIDAY...WHEN NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED
  ONCE AGAIN. POOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERY IS EXPECTED TONIGHT.
  LOW HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED AGAIN ON FRIDAY.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. WINDS 
  WILL TURN WEST TO NORTHWEST BEHIND A COLD FRONT ON FRIDAY 
  AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 22 PERCENT. THERE WILL BE POOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY
  RECOVERY TONIGHT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

* COLD FRONT TIMING...FRIDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 4 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
414 
WWUS85 KBYZ 161047
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
447 AM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-162300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.120316T1600Z-120317T0300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
447 AM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...
STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE TODAY FOR ALL OF
SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF
NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED DUE TO A
  COMBINATION OF GUSTY...SHIFTING WINDS...NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES
  AND LOW HUMIDITIES. A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA
  DURING THE AFTERNOON CAUSING SOUTHWEST WINDS TO SHIFT TO THE
  WEST OR NORTHWEST.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH...SHIFTING TO
  THE WEST OR NORTHWEST AT 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH AS A
  COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 18 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE 60S TO MIDDLE 70S.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ123>129-162300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
447 AM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND
COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR ALL OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...123...124...125...126
                                            127...128...129
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THIS EVENING. GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WEST AND
  NORTHWEST THIS AFTERNOON...WHEN NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES AND LOW
  HUMIDITIES ARE AGAIN EXPECTED.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. WINDS
  WILL TURN WEST TO NORTHWEST BEHIND A COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE 60S TO MIDDLE 70S.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS

HOOLEY
833 
WWUS85 KBYZ 161637
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
1037 AM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-170300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
1037 AM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY
WINDS...AND A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST
MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF NORTH
CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL RAPIDLY DEVELOP
  BY EARLY AFTERNOON AS WINDS QUICKLY BECOME VERY GUSTY. VERY LOW
  RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES AND VERY WARM TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR.
  A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH BY LATE AFTERNOON AND CAUSE WINDS
  TO SHIFT FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE WEST OR NORTHWEST.
 
* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH...SHIFTING
  TO THE WEST OR NORTHWEST BY LATE AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 18 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...MAINLY IN THE 70S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ123>129-170300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
1037 AM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND
COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR ALL OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...123...124...125...126
                                            127...128...129

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THIS EVENING. GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WEST AND
  NORTHWEST THIS AFTERNOON...WHEN NEAR RECORD TEMPERATURES AND LOW
  HUMIDITIES ARE AGAIN EXPECTED.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. WINDS
  WILL TURN WEST TO NORTHWEST BEHIND A COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE 60S TO MIDDLE 70S.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
776 
WWUS85 KBYZ 162150
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
350 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

MTZ123-124-162300-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
350 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT
TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE
FRIDAY FOR PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA...

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

RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES WILL REMAIN ABOVE 30 PERCENT THE REST OF
THE AFTERNOON...SO CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER
EXPECTED...DESPITE GUSTY WINDS.

$$

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-171300-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120318T0600Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
350 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY
NIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG 
GUSTY WINDS FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST
SOUTH DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR INTO THIS
  EVENING AS GUSTY WEST OR NORTHWEST WINDS OCCUR WITH THE PASSAGE
  OF A COLD FRONT. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR AGAIN SATURDAY
  AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY EVENING DUE TO GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...HIGHS
  IN THE 70S...AND LOW HUMIDITY VALUES.

* WIND...WEST OR NORTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH THIS
  EVENING. WINDS WILL DIMINISH OVERNIGHT...THEN INCREASE SATURDAY
  AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY EVENING OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 20 TO 30 MPH
  WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 22 PERCENT THROUGH THIS EVENING...AND AGAIN ON
  SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE 70S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ125>129-170300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
350 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND
COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE FRIDAY FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 5000 FEET...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...125...126...127...128
                                            129

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THIS EVENING DUE TO GUSTY WINDS...LOW HUMIDITY VALUES...AND
  UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES.

* WIND...WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 15 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
293 
WWUS85 KBYZ 170249
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
849 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

MTZ125>129-170400-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120317T0300Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
849 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...HOT
TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE
FRIDAY FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTH
CENTRAL WYOMING...

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

RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES HAVE RISEN ABOVE 30 PERCENT THIS EVENING
AND ARE EXPECTED TO RISE EVEN MORE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT.
CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER EXPECTED ALTHOUGH
BRIEF GUSTY WINDS WILL STILL BE POSSIBLE.

$$

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-171500-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120318T0600Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
849 PM MDT FRI MAR 16 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY
NIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG
GUSTY WINDS FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST
SOUTH DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR LATE THIS
  EVENING AS GUSTY WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE. THESE
  WINDS WILL DIMINISH LATE TONIGHT. DANGEROUS FIRE CONDITIONS WILL
  DEVELOP AGAIN SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING DUE TO
  GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...HIGHS IN THE 70S...AND LOW HUMIDITY
  VALUES.

* WIND...SOUTHEAST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH SATURDAY.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 14 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID TO UPPER 70S ON SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
791 
WWUS85 KBYZ 171009
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
409 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-172215-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120318T0600Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
409 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY
WINDS FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH
DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR THIS
  AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING HOURS AS GUSTY SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST
  WINDS WILL DEVELOP BY THIS AFTERNOON. THESE WINDS WILL DIMINISH
  LATE TONIGHT. 

* WIND...SOUTHEAST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...15 TO 20 PERCENT. 

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 70S. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS

HOOLEY
897 
WWUS85 KBYZ 171621
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
1021 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

MTZ130>133-WYZ274-180430-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120318T0600Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
1021 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY
WINDS FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH
DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132...133
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR FROM THIS
  AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING AS GUSTY SOUTH WINDS BRING SOME VERY
  DRY AND WARM AIR INTO THE AREA.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 15 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 70S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS

CJS/JKL
911 
WWUS85 KBYZ 172150
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
350 PM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

MTZ133-181000-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120319T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
350 PM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR LOW
HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR
PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONE....133

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THE EVENING AS A RESULT OF GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...LOW HUMIDITIES...
  AND UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES. CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE SOME
  LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING...BEFORE BECOMING CRITICAL
  AGAIN SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 13 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE 70S.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ130>132-WYZ274-180600-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120318T0600Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
350 PM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY
WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL
WYOMING...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...130...131...132
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE INTO
  THE EVENING DUE TO GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...LOW HUMIDITY...AND VERY
  WARM TEMPERATURES.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 15 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE 70S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
029 
WWUS85 KBYZ 180231
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
831 PM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

MTZ130>132-WYZ274-180345-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120318T0600Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
831 PM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM
TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST
MONTANA...

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

RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES HAVE RISEN ABOVE 30 PERCENT THIS EVENING
AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN THERE OVERNIGHT. WINDS HAVE ALSO
DECREASED ACROSS THE AREA AND CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE NO LONGER EXPECTED. 

$$

MTZ133-181445-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120319T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
831 PM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS
FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH
DAKOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONE....133

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE 
  THROUGH THE EVENING AS A RESULT OF GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...LOW 
  HUMIDITIES... AND UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES. CONDITIONS 
  WILL IMPROVE SOME LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING... 
  BEFORE BECOMING CRITICAL AGAIN SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* WIND...SOUTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 13 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 70S SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
609 
WWUS85 KBYZ 181028
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
428 AM MDT SUN MAR 18 2012

MTZ133-182230-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120319T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
428 AM MDT SUN MAR 18 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY
WINDS FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH
DAKOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONE....133

* IMPACTS...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THIS EVENING AS A RESULT OF GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...LOW HUMIDITIES...
  AND UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES. CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE LATE
  THIS EVENING.

* WIND...SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 14 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 70S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
412 
WWUS85 KBYZ 190240
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
840 PM MDT SUN MAR 18 2012

MTZ133-190345-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120319T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
840 PM MDT SUN MAR 18 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...VERY WARM
TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST
MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...

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

RELATIVE HUMIDITIES HAVE RISEN ABOVE 20 PERCENT THIS EVENING AND
HUMIDITIES WILL CONTINUE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE NIGHT. EAST WINDS
WILL DECREASE BY LATE EVENING AS WELL. THEREFORE...CRITICAL FIRE
WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER ANTICIPATED.

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Billings, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Mar 14, 8:29 PM MDT, 7 hours 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 14, 8:29 PM MDT, 7 hours 29 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
829 PM MDT WED MAR 14 2012

.SHORT TERM...VALID FOR THU AND FRI...

UPDATE TO FORECAST TONIGHT. SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT HAS SET UP OVER
THE FORECAST AREA WITH SEVERAL WEAK IMPULSES MOVING ACROSS THE
AREA. UPPER LEVEL JET WAS BRINGING WEAK Q VECTOR FORCING TO THE
AREA AND ISOLATED SHOWERS WEST OF A LINE FROM LIVINGSTON TO
BILLINGS TO JUST NORTH OF MILES CITY. MODELS WERE ALSO INDICATING
A BAND OF FRONTOGENESIS OVER THIS AREA. HAVE ADDED ISOLATED POPS
THROUGH 06Z BUT DO NOT EXPECT MUCH PRECIPITATION AS LOW LEVELS
REMAIN VERY DRY. LEE SIDE TROUGH DEEPENING LATE TONIGHT AS A
STRONGER WAVE MOVES ACROSS SOUTHERN CANADA. THIS WILL SET UP A
WEAK GAP FLOW LATE TONIGHT IN THE LIVINGSTON AND NYE AREAS.
STABLE LAYER DOES NOT SET UP AT MOUNTAIN TOP LEVEL UNTIL THURSDAY
MORNING SO WILL KEEP WINDS BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA. RICHMOND

.LONG TERM...VALID FOR SAT...SUN...MON...TUE...WED...

NUMERICAL MODELS AGREE ON A LARGE PACIFIC TROUGH AFFECTING THE
REGION LATE THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK. THE 12Z RUNS OF THE GFS
AND ECMWF ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE 00Z RUNS ON THE DELAYED ARRIVAL
OF THE ATTENDANT SURFACE FRONT FOR MONDAY MORNING. THUS THE
INCREASE IN FORECAST TEMPERATURES FOR SUNDAY MADE BY THE MID SHIFT
LOOK TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. ONLY MINOR TWEAKS WERE MADE TO THE
HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR THE WEEKEND...WITH NEAR-RECORD TEMPERATURES
EXPECTED. DUE TO THE INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN THE DELAYED ARRIVAL
OF THE TROUGH...HAVE LOWERED POPS ACROSS THE EAST ON SATURDAY...AND
INCREASED POPS SLIGHTLY IN THE MOUNTAINS AND IN THE FAR WESTERN
PORTIONS OF THE CWA. TRENDED POPS UP FOR SUNDAY AS THE TROUGH
BEGINS TO APPROACH AND PACIFIC MOISTURE ARRIVES IN THE WESTERN
ZONES. INTERESTINGLY...HAVE INCLUDED THE MENTION OF THUNDER DURING
THE AFTERNOON ON SUNDAY...MAINLY FROM BILLINGS WEST. SOUNDINGS
BECOME UNSTABLE AND MOIST THANKS TO WARM SURFACE TEMPERATURES AND
COOLING TEMPERATURES ALOFT FROM THE APPROACHING TROUGH. PROGGED MUCAPE
VALUES ARE MODEST...ABOUT 100 TO 300 J/KG...BUT THE SOUNDINGS ARE
WILL MIXED AND WEAKLY CAPPED ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON...SUGGESTING THE
POTENTIAL FOR SOME HIGH-BASED THUNDERSTORMS INITIATING OFF THE
MOUNTAINS AND/OR ALONG THE APPROACHING BAROCLINIC ZONE. WILL HAVE
TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE THUNDER POTENTIAL FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

THE MODEL SOLUTIONS BEGIN TO DIVERGE ON MONDAY WITH THE GFS MORE
AGGRESSIVELY DIGGING THE TROUGH INTO THE SOUTHWEST
US...TRANSITIONING TO A CUTOFF LOW...WHILE THE ECMWF MAINTAINS A
BROAD TROUGH ACROSS THE WESTERN US WITH MULTIPLE SHORTWAVES
ROTATING THROUGH IT. MONDAY LOOKS TO HAVE THE BEST AGREEMENT FROM
THE MODELS AS FAR AS A CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION...BUT THE DETAILS
ARE NOT CONSISTENT ENOUGH TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHERE OR HOW MUCH.
THUS HAVE INCLUDED SLIGHT CHANCE TO CHANCE POPS ACROSS THE ENTIRE
AREA. TEMPERATURES LOOKED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR MONDAY AS
WELL...AS WE COOL OFF BEHIND THE COLD FRONT. HOWEVER...BEYOND
MONDAY THERE IS CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY IN THE FORECAST. THE
CUTOFF LOW SOLUTION DEPICTED BY THE GFS WOULD ALLOW US TO
TRANSITION BACK TO W-SW FLOW ON TUESDAY WITH A SLOW WARMING TREND
THEREAFTER. HOWEVER...THE BROAD TROUGH SOLUTION DEPICTED BY THE
ECMWF WOULD LEAVE OUR REGION MUCH COOLER AND WITH THE POTENTIAL
FOR MORE UNSETTLED WEATHER. THUS HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE TEMPERATURES
IN THE EXTENDED TOO MUCH...OTHER THAN TO KEEP THEM IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE MODEL SPREAD. FOR POPS...HAVE CONTINUED WITH THE LOWER POPS
PAST MONDAY...BUT TRIED TO KEEP THEM NEAR CLIMO NUMBERS DUE TO THE
UNCERTAINTY IN THE FORECAST. CHURCH

&&

.AVIATION...

MAINLY VFR CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL ACROSS ALL AREA TERMINALS
OVERNIGHT. SHOWERS...PRIMARILY IN HIGH TERRAIN...HAVE MOVED
EASTWARD INTO TO THE PLAINS THIS EVENING. BEST CHANCES FOR
SCATTERED SHOWERS WILL BE WEST AND NORTH OF...AND INCLUDING...A
LINE FROM KBHK TO KBIL TO RED LODGE. LOCALIZED MVFR CONDITIONS CAN
BE EXPECTED WITH SHOWERS THROUGH MIDNIGHT. EXPECT MOUNTAIN
OBSCURATION OVER THE BEARTOOTH/ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS TO PERSIST
OVERNIGHT. AAG

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    THU     FRI     SAT     SUN     MON     TUE     WED
-----------------------------------------------------------
BIL 040/068 047/071 042/068 042/062 039/053 034/057 036/059
    20/N    01/N    12/W    33/T    43/W    22/W    22/W
LVM 040/063 044/062 041/059 039/054 036/049 031/052 032/052
    21/N    23/W    45/W    55/T    54/W    22/W    22/W
HDN 037/071 042/072 039/071 039/070 034/057 029/060 033/061
    10/N    01/N    12/W    22/T    33/W    22/W    22/W
MLS 035/070 045/074 042/073 041/070 040/056 031/056 034/058
    20/B    01/N    11/B    11/B    22/W    22/W    22/W
4BQ 037/069 043/072 041/074 042/071 037/058 032/059 034/058
    00/B    00/N    11/B    11/N    22/W    22/W    22/W
BHK 034/070 041/072 039/073 041/071 036/058 031/056 035/056
    20/B    00/N    11/B    11/N    22/W    22/W    22/W
SHR 037/067 040/069 037/068 038/067 035/053 028/055 031/055
    00/B    01/B    21/B    22/T    33/W    33/W    22/W

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
      FRIDAY EVENING FOR ZONES 124>133.
WY...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
      FRIDAY EVENING FOR ZONE 274.

&&

WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 14, 4:06 AM MDT, 23 hours 52 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
406 AM MDT WED MAR 14 2012

MTZ028>042-056>058-063>068-WYZ098-099-151015-
SOUTHERN WHEATLAND-MUSSELSHELL-TREASURE-NORTHERN ROSEBUD-CUSTER-
FALLON-NORTHERN STILLWATER-YELLOWSTONE-POWDER RIVER-CARTER-
SOUTHERN BIG HORN-EASTERN CARBON-NORTHERN PARK-
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-GOLDEN VALLEY-RED LODGE FOOTHILLS-
NORTHERN BIG HORN-SOUTHERN ROSEBUD-JUDITH GAP-PARADISE VALLEY-
LIVINGSTON AREA-BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS-ABSAROKA/BEARTOOTH MOUNTAINS-
CRAZY MOUNTAINS-NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-SHERIDAN FOOTHILLS-
406 AM MDT WED MAR 14 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
MONTANA...SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA...SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND NORTH
CENTRAL WYOMING.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Montana, 2012Red Flag Warnings in Wyoming, 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.