Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Billings, MT

March 30, 201217 counties in Montana; Sheridan County, Wyoming

NWS Billings, MT issued this red flag warning at Mar 30, 2012, 3:18 AM MDT for 17 counties in Montana; Sheridan County, Wyoming. It took effect at Mar 30, 2012, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 57 hr. 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 30, 2012, 3:18 AM MDT (09:18 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 30, 2012, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Apr 1, 2012, 8:39 PM MDT
In force
57 hr
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 09:16 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 30, 12:35 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 59Three Forks, MT59 MPH WIND GUST MEASURED AT THREE FORKS.
Mar 30, 1:33 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 597 E Columbus, MT
Mar 30, 2:39 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 594 Nne Mcallister, MT59 MPH WIND GUST MEASURED AT NORRIS HILL.
Mar 30, 3:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 61Judith Gap, MTJUDITH GAP US-191 MP 18.6. MULTIPLE GUSTS TO 60 MPH BETWEEN 1330 AND 1530.
Mar 30, 3:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 6516 Se Gallatin Gateway, MTESTIMATED WIND GUSTS AROUND 65 MPH NEAR 3 PM AT HYALITE CANYON. ELEVATION IS 9900 FEET.
Mar 30, 5:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 606 Wsw Big Sky, MT60 MPH WIND GUST AT THE YELL TIMBER MESONET SITE. ELEVATION IS 9400 FEET.
Apr 1, 3:35 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 50Sheridan, MTESTIMATED WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH WITH A RAIN SHOWER.

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, 9.3 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 2012-03-30Temperature 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 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2012-03-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 23 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
3146 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
118 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.

715 
WWUS85 KBYZ 300918
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
318 AM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

MTZ125-127-128-130>133-302300-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.FW.A.0003.120330T1800Z-120401T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.120330T1800Z-120401T0600Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
318 AM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
SATURDAY NIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM
TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
MONTANA...ALL OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH
DAKOTA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
SATURDAY NIGHT. 

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...125...127...128...130
                                            131...132...133

* IMPACTS TODAY...WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON...WHICH ALONG
  WITH VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY WILL RESULT IN
  DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

* WIND TODAY...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
  WINDS WILL DECREASE TONIGHT.

* HUMIDITY TODAY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS FROM 15 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES TODAY...LOWER TO MID 70S.

* SATURDAY...EXPECT WARMER TEMPERATURES AND LESS WIND...WITH HIGHS
  IN THE 70S TO NEAR 80 DEGREES AND SOUTH WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH.
  AFTERNOON HUMIDITY WILL FALL INTO THE UPPER TEENS TO NEAR 20
  PERCENT.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ123-124-126-129-302300-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.FW.A.0003.120330T1800Z-120401T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.120330T1800Z-120401T0600Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
318 AM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
SATURDAY NIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM
TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL
MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 6000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING BELOW 6000 FEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO
MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY NIGHT.

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

* IMPACTS TODAY...WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON...WHICH ALONG
  WITH VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY WILL RESULT IN
  DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

* WIND TODAY...SOUTHWEST 25 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH.
  STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE ALONG THE BEARTOOTH ABSAROKA FOOTHILLS.
  WINDS WILL WEAKEN TONIGHT.

* HUMIDITY TODAY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS FROM 16 TO 25 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES TODAY...MID 60S TO LOWER 70S.

* SATURDAY...EXPECT WARMER TEMPERATURES AND LESS WIND...WITH HIGHS
  IN THE 70S AND SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40
  MPH. AFTERNOON HUMIDITY WILL RANGE FROM 16 TO 25 PERCENT.

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
8 follow-up statements
246 
WWUS85 KBYZ 302138
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
338 PM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

MTZ125-127-128-130>133-311200-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
338 PM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

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

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...125...127...128...130
                                            131...132...133

* IMPACTS...STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING BEFORE
  DIMINISHING SOMEWHAT LATE TONIGHT. BREEZY...DRY AND VERY WARM
  TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED SATURDAY WITH MORE SUNSHINE POSSIBLE
  THAN FRIDAY. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS WILL RESULT IN A
  CONTINUATION OF DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH THIS
  EVENING. WINDS WILL DECREASE OVERNIGHT. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
  20 MPH ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED SATURDAY WITH GUSTS TO NEAR 30 MPH
  IN THE AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS FROM 18 TO 25 PERCENT ARE EXPECTED
  THE REST OF THE DAY. HUMIDITY RECOVERY WILL BE POOR
  TONIGHT...AND DROP INTO THE 15 TO 20 PERCENT RANGE ON SATURDAY
  AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES...UPPER 60S TO MID 70S TODAY. HIGHS SATURDAY WILL
  BE IN THE LOWER 70S TO AROUND 80. 


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.

&&

$$

MTZ123-124-126-129-311200-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
338 PM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY
NIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND
STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND PARTS OF
NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 6000 FEET...

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

* IMPACTS...VERY STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE
  EVENING BEFORE DIMINISHING SOMEWHAT OVERNIGHT. SATURDAY WILL SEE
  LESS WIND...BUT WARMER TEMPERATURES AND LOWER HUMIDITY THAN
  FRIDAY. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS WILL CONTINUE TO RESULT
  IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

* WIND TODAY...SOUTHWEST 25 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH
  INTO THE EVENING. STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE ALONG THE BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS.
  WINDS WILL WEAKEN TONIGHT. SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH
  GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED SATURDAY.

* HUMIDITY..AFTERNOON MINIMUMS FROM 20 TO 30 PERCENT. MINIMUM
  HUMIDITY ON SATURDAY IS EXPECTED TO BE 17 TO 25 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...AROUND 60 TO LOWER 70S. SATURDAYS HIGHS ARE
  EXPECTED TO RANGE FROM THE LOWER TO UPPER 70S. 


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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
145 
WWUS85 KBYZ 310330
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
930 PM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

MTZ125-127-128-130>133-311530-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
930 PM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

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

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...125...127...128...130 
                                            131...132...133

* IMPACTS...FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE OVERNIGHT.
  BREEZY...DRY AND VERY WARM TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED AGAIN
  SATURDAY WITH MORE SUNSHINE POSSIBLE THAN ON FRIDAY. THE
  COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS WILL RESULT IN A CONTINUATION OF
  DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...15 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...70 TO 80 DEGREES

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.

&&

$$

MTZ123-124-126-129-311530-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
930 PM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY
NIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...
AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 6000 FEET...

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

* IMPACTS...FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE OVERNIGHT.
  SATURDAY WILL SEE LESS WIND...BUT WARMER TEMPERATURES AND LOWER
  HUMIDITY THAN FRIDAY. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS WILL
  CONTINUE TO RESULT IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE
  EXPECTED SATURDAY.

* HUMIDITY..ON SATURDAY IS EXPECTED TO BE 17 TO 25 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
928 
WWUS85 KBYZ 310915
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
315 AM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

WYZ274-312300-
/O.EXA.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
SHERIDAN COUNTY-
315 AM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT. 

* AFFECTED AREA...IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY COMBINED WITH
  GUSTY AFTERNOON WINDS WILL RESULT IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER
  CONDITIONS TODAY.

* WIND...SOUTH 15 TO 25 MPH DURING THE AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...NEAR 80 DEGREES.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ125-127-128-130>133-312300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
315 AM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

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

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...125...127...128...130
                                            131...132...133

* IMPACTS...THOUGH WINDS WILL BE WEAKER THAN ON FRIDAY...THE
  COMBINATION OF VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY WILL
  RESULT IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY.

* WIND...SOUTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH DURING THE
  AFTERNOON.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 15 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...MID 70S TO LOWER 80S.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ123-124-126-129-312300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
315 AM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...AND STRONG
GUSTY WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTH
CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 6000 FEET...

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

* IMPACTS...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY COMBINED WITH
  GUSTY WINDS WILL RESULT IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
  TODAY.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 17 TO 25 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
783 
WWUS85 KBYZ 312203
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
403 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

MTZ133-011015-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120402T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
403 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR LOW
HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY
WINDS...AND WIND SHIFT WITH A COLD FRONT SUNDAY FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST
MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...

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

* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE
  THROUGH SUNDAY. THE MOST EXTREME CONDTIONS WILL OCCUR WITH A
  FRONTAL PASSAGE SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHIFTING WINDS BRISKLY TO THE
  NORTHWEST. 

* WIND...SOUTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH THROUGH SUNDAY
  MORNING...SWITCHING TO THE NORTHWEST AT 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS
  TO 40 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 15 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...MID 70S TO LOWER 80S TODAY. UPPER 60S TO LOWER
  70S SUNDAY.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ125-127-128-130>132-WYZ274-010600-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
STILLWATER COUNTY-GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY/MUSSELSHELL COUNTY-
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY-NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
403 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

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

* AFFECTED AREA...IN MONTANA...FIRE ZONES...125...127...128...130
                                            131...132
                  IN WYOMING...FIRE ZONE....274

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW
  HUMIDITY WILL RESULT IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH
  THIS EVENING.

* WIND...SOUTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH DURING THE 
  AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 15 TO 23 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...MID 70S TO LOWER 80S.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ123-124-126-129-010600-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST-WHEATLAND COUNTY/SWEET GRASS COUNTY-
BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION/BIG HORN CANYON REC AREA-
403 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...STRONG
GUSTY WINDS FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTH
CENTRAL WYOMING BELOW 6000 FEET...

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

* IMPACTS...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY COMBINED 
  WITH GUSTY WINDS WILL RESULT IN DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER 
  CONDITIONS TODAY. 

* WIND...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 18 TO 28 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 75 DEGREES.

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
087 
WWUS85 KBYZ 010239
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
839 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

MTZ123>132-WYZ274-010345-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120401T0600Z/
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-
NORTHERN ROSEBUD/NORTHERN TREASURE COUNTIES-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION/ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
CUSTER NATL FOREST-CUSTER COUNTY-SHERIDAN COUNTY-
839 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR ALL OF SOUTH CENTRAL
MONTANA...MOST OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA...AND PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL
WYOMING...

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

RELATIVE HUMIDITIES HAVE CLIMBED ABOVE CRITICAL LEVELS AND WINDS
ARE DIMINISHING ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. AS A RESULT THE RED
FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

$$

MTZ133-011445-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120402T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
839 PM MDT SAT MAR 31 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...STRONG GUSTY
WINDS...AND WIND SHIFT WITH A COLD FRONT FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST
MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...

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

* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE
  THROUGH SUNDAY. THE MOST EXTREME CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WITH A
  FRONTAL PASSAGE SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHIFTING WINDS BRISKLY TO THE
  NORTHWEST. 

* WIND...SOUTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH THROUGH SUNDAY
  MORNING...SWITCHING TO THE NORTHWEST AT 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS
  TO 40 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. 

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS OF 15 TO 22 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...UPPER 60S TO LOWER 70S SUNDAY.

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
847 
WWUS85 KBYZ 010850
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
250 AM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

MTZ133-012300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120402T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
250 AM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES...STRONG
GUSTY WINDS...AND WIND SHIFT WITH A COLD FRONT FOR PARTS OF
SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA...

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

* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL RESULT FROM
  CONTINUED WARM AND DRY CONDITIONS...ALONG WITH GUSTY WINDS
  ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE.

* WIND...SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH EARLY IN THE MORNING...SHIFTING WEST
  AND INCREASING TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH BY LATE
  MORNING. STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON
  AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUMS 18 TO 23 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...MID 60S TO LOWER 70S.

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
785 
WWUS85 KBYZ 012100
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
300 PM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

MTZ133-020300-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120402T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
300 PM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITIES...UNSEASONABLY 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...BRISK NORTHWEST WINDS AND HUMIDITIES FROM 15 TO 20
  PERCENT WERE COMMON ACROSS PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND
  ESPECIALLY NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA TODAY. THESE DANGEROUS FIRE
  WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING. 

* WIND...NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 35 MPH WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH
  OVERNIGHT IN MOST AREAS. 

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUMS FROM 15 TO 23 PERCENT TODAY.

* TEMPERATURES...WILL RANGE FROM MID 60S TO NEAR 80.

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.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
798 
WWUS85 KBYZ 020239
RFWBYZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
839 PM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

MTZ133-020345-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120402T0300Z/
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST-
839 PM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED 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 CLIMBED ABOVE CRITICAL LEVELS AND WINDS
ARE DIMINISHING ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. THEREFORE...THE RED
FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELED.

$$

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 30, 2:42 AM MDT, 36 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 30, 2:42 AM MDT, 36 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
242 AM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

.SHORT TERM...VALID FOR TDY AND SAT...

MAIN FORECAST ISSUES IN THE SHORT TERM INVOLVE THE WARM AND DRY
WEATHER WITH INCREASED WINDS...AND THEIR IMPACTS ON FIRE WEATHER
CONDITIONS TODAY AND SATURDAY.

STRENGTHENING PACIFIC FLOW AND ASSOCIATED DEEPER LEE SIDE TROFFING
HAS ALREADY ALLOWED FOR INCREASED WINDS ALONG OUR FOOTHILLS SINCE
YESTERDAY EVENING. GOOD MIXING TODAY WILL TAP INTO 35-45 KT 700MB
FLOW RESULTING IN A GUSTY WSW WIND ACROSS THE LOWER ELEVATIONS
THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. THIS ALONG WITH TEMPS IN THE
UPPER 60S TO MID 70S AND HUMIDITY IN THE UPPER TEENS TO LOWER 20S
WILL CAUSE DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY...AND WILL
UPGRADE THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH TO A RED FLAG WARNING. WINDS THE
BIG PLAYER HERE WITH GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH ALONG THE FOOTHILLS
AND 30-40 MPH ACROSS ALL OF OUR LOWER ELEVATIONS. IT SHOULD BE
POINTED OUT THAT DEWPTS WILL BE SOMEWHAT HIGHER TODAY AS PACIFIC
FLOW IS STEADILY MOISTENING THE MID LEVELS EVERYWHERE TO OUR
WEST...SO HUMIDITIES WILL NOT CRASH TOO HARD THIS AFTERNOON EVEN
WITH MIXING AND DOWNSLOPE WINDS. HAVE MATCHED THE FIRE WEATHER
WATCH DURATION AND WILL KEEP THE RED FLAG WARNING THROUGH SATURDAY
AS TOMORROW WILL ACTUALLY BE THE HOTTER OF THE TWO DAYS WITH TEMPS
NEAR 80 DEGREES IN SOME PLACES. THAT BEING SAID...MUCH WEAKER SFC
GRADIENTS AND MID LEVEL FLOW WILL RESULT IN MUCH LIGHTER AFTERNOON
WINDS THAN TODAY ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL AND EAST PARTS.

ADVISORY SPEEDS ALREADY MET AT LIVINGSTON AND NYE SO WILL MAKE NO
CHANGE TO THE WIND ADVISORY IN THESE AREAS WHICH GOES INTO THIS
EVENING. MIXING WILL TAP INTO 50 KT BOUNDARY LAYER WINDS ALONG THE
FOOTHILLS SO ADVISORY GUSTS SHOULD PERSIST THROUGH THE DAY...THEN
TAPER OFF TONIGHT.

AFOREMENTIONED MOISTENING PACIFIC FLOW SHOULD YIELD ISOLATED TO
SCATTERED LIGHT MAINLY MOUNTAIN SHOWERS TODAY AND TONIGHT...WITH
BEST CHANCES OF THIS ASSOCIATED WITH DIURNAL HEATING. WILL KEEP
THE LOWER ELEVATIONS DRY THOUGH THERE WILL BE PERIODS OF MID
CLOUD AND THERE MAY BE SOME VIRGA FROM BILLINGS WEST THIS AFTERNOON.

FLOW ALOFT WILL BACK MORE SOUTHERLY TOMORROW IN ADVANCE OF
DEEPENING PAC COAST TROF. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR SURGE OF WARMER
TEMPS. WITH 700MB TEMPS TO +4C OR +6C THINK 80 DEGREES WILL BE
APPROACHED IN PLACES LIKE SHERIDAN...BROADUS AND MILES CITY NEAR
THERMAL TROF. BILLINGS SHOULD EXCEED 73 DEGREES MAKING IT THE
WARMEST DAY YET IN 2012. INSTABILITY WILL BE GREATEST IN OUR WEST
PER LOWEST HEIGHTS AND BEST MID LEVEL MOISTURE...AND WITH A COUPLE
HUNDRED JOULES OF CAPE WILL KEEP SLIGHT MENTION OF TSTMS TO THE
WEST AND NORTHWEST OF BILLINGS DURING THE AFTN AND EVENING.
OTHERWISE FORCING FROM PACIFIC TROF LOOKS TO HOLD OFF UNTIL AFTER
06Z NOW SO WILL PUSH BACK POPS SOMEWHAT...ESPECIALLY OUR EAST HALF
WHICH SHOULD REMAIN DRY UNTIL SUNDAY. WILL KEEP HIGH POPS IN OUR
WEST FROM 6-12Z PER INCREASED UPPER LEVEL FORCING ALONG ADVANCING
MID LEVEL BAROCLINIC ZONE. SHOULD SEE A LITTLE SNOW ACCUMULATION
OVER THE BEARTOOTH ABSAROKAS AND CRAZIES...BUT PCPN TYPE BELOW
6KFT SHOULD REMAIN RAIN PER 850MB TEMPS OF ONLY +6C OR +8C. THIS
IS CONSISTENT WITH RECENT MODEL TRENDS...IE SLOWER PASSAGE OF THE
WAVE AND SFC COLD FRONT.

JKL

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

MEDIUM RANGE MODELS IN BETTER AGREEMENT FOR THE EXTENDED WITH
TIMING OF UPPER TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT
MOVING THROUGH THE AREA SUNDAY. MODEL TEMPERATURE GUIDANCE
INDICATING A FAIRLY LARGE RANGE IN VALUES BUT KEPT HIGH
TEMPERATURES ON THE COOL SIDE WITH STRONG COLD AIR ADVECTION
MOVING THROUGH. DID BUMP TEMPERATURES UP IN THE EAST A FEW
DEGREES WITH EARLY AFTERNOON ARRIVAL OF THE COLD FRONT. TIGHT
PRESSURE GRADIENT SETTING UP DURING THE AFTERNOON AND WINDS WILL
BE BRISK ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA. UPPER TROUGH IS SPLITTING WITH
THE BULK OF THE LIFT GOING NORTH AND SOUTH OF OUR FORECAST AREA.
THE BEST LIFT WILL BE OVER OUR SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS WHERE THE
STRONGEST Q VECTOR FORCING WILL BE LOCATED. OUR PLAINS SHOULD
ONLY SEE SCATTERED SHOWERS WITH STRONG DOWN SLOPE WINDS IN PLACE.
ZONAL FLOW SETTING UP EARLY NEXT WEEK WITH ONLY MOUNTAIN RAIN OR
SNOW SHOWERS EXPECTED. TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING STARTING
TUESDAY WITH THE WARMEST DAY OCCURRING ON WEDNESDAY. ANOTHER
TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE AND COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA
NEXT FRIDAY. MODELS ARE SHOWING TIMING DIFFERENCES AND WILL GO
WITH SCATTERED POPS FOR THE MOUNTAINS AT THIS TIME. DID KEEP
TEMPERATURES ABOVE SEASONAL NORMALS FOR NOW BUT WILL HAVE TO WAIT
AND SEE HOW LATER MODEL RUNS HANDLE THE SPEED UPPER TROUGH.
RICHMOND

&&

.AVIATION...

MID AND HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS WILL MOVE ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA
TODAY WITH VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILING. A FEW RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS
WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND MAY CAUSE MOUNTAIN
OBSCURATIONS. STRONG WIND GUSTS WILL BE LIKELY IN THE LIVINGSTON
AREA AND ADJACENT BEARTOOTH/ABSAROKA FOOTHILLS. WIND GUSTS OF 50
TO 60 KTS WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS EVENING. RICHMOND

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    TDY SAT     SUN     MON     TUE     WED     THU
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 072 045/076 047/058 033/055 033/064 038/071 040/067
    0/N 01/N    23/W    11/B    00/B    00/B    01/U
LVM 068 044/070 038/048 027/050 030/060 036/065 038/061
    2/W 22/T    63/W    21/B    01/B    11/B    12/W
HDN 075 039/076 042/059 032/056 031/067 034/075 038/072
    0/N 00/B    14/W    11/B    00/B    00/U    01/U
MLS 076 042/078 046/061 034/056 032/066 037/075 039/070
    0/N 00/B    13/W    11/N    00/U    00/U    01/U
4BQ 075 044/080 046/063 033/055 032/066 036/076 039/074
    0/N 00/B    04/W    11/N    00/U    00/U    00/U
BHK 075 041/077 047/064 034/052 031/064 035/074 039/070
    0/N 00/B    13/W    11/N    00/U    00/U    01/B
SHR 073 039/079 041/058 029/052 029/064 034/075 038/072
    0/B 00/B    03/W    21/B    00/B    00/U    01/B

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT FOR ZONES
      65-66.
     RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
      SATURDAY NIGHT BELOW 6000 FEET FOR ZONES 123-124-126-129.
     RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
      SATURDAY NIGHT FOR ZONES 125-127-128-130>133.
WY...NONE.

&&

WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 30, 2:39 AM MDT, 39 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
239 AM MDT FRI MAR 30 2012

MTZ028>042-056>058-063>068-WYZ098-099-310845-
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-
239 AM MDT FRI MAR 30 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

STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE OVER THE LIVINGSTON AREA AND
FOOTHILL LOCATIONS NEAR NYE TODAY THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING. WIND
GUSTS TO 60 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED. THE STRONG WINDS WILL PRODUCE
DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS ALONG I-90 FROM BIG TIMBER TO LIVINGSTON
AND ON AREA ROADS FROM NYE TO FISHTAIL. THOSE DRIVING HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING
CONDITIONS. THE WINDS WILL DECREASE LATE TONIGHT.

VERY LOW HUMIDITIES ALONG WITH WARM TEMPERATURES AND GUSTY WINDS
WILL CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS OVER ELEVATIONS
BELOW 6000 FEET TODAY AND TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

VERY LOW HUMIDITIES AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE OVER THE
AREA SATURDAY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL BRING DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER
CONDITIONS TO AREAS BELOW 6000 FEET. CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE LATE
SATURDAY EVENING AS MOISTURE BEGINS MOVING INTO THE AREA.

.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.