Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 18, NWS Great Falls, MT

August 10, 201212 counties in Montana

NWS Great Falls, MT issued this red flag warning at Aug 10, 2012, 3:35 AM MDT for 12 counties in Montana. It took effect at Aug 10, 2012, 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 10, 2012, 3:35 AM MDT (09:35 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 10, 2012, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Aug 10, 2012, 9:00 PM MDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Great Falls, MT

Counties Broadwater County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Chouteau County, MT, Fergus County, MT, Gallatin County, MT, Jefferson County, MT, Judith Basin County, MT, Lewis and Clark County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Pondera County, MT, Powell County, MT, Teton County, MT

The radar

The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 50 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:35 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 00:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 78 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 2012-08-10Temperature 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°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2012-08-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 49 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
3759 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
49 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
177 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.

203 
WWUS85 KTFX 100935
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
335 AM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

MTZ114-116-118-102200-
/O.UPG.KTFX.FW.A.0010.120810T1800Z-120811T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0018.120810T1800Z-120811T0300Z/
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-
LINCOLN RANGER DISTRICT OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
335 AM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 114...116 AND 118...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREAT FALLS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS...WHICH IS
IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING. THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THIS WARNING.

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 114...116 AND 118.

* THUNDERSTORMS...MOSTLY DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHWEST
  AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MONTANA FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
  THE COMBINATION OF LIGHTNING STRIKES...LOW HUMIDITIES AND GUSTY
  THUNDERSTORM WINDS WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW FIRE
  STARTS.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...SOME THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE WIND GUSTS 
  FROM 45 TO 60 MPH.

* IMPACTS...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH FROM 
  ANY NEW FIRE STARTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ117-102200-
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0018.120810T1800Z-120811T0300Z/
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
335 AM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 117...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREAT FALLS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS...WHICH IS
IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING. 

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 117.

* THUNDERSTORMS...MOSTLY DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHWEST
  AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MONTANA FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
  THE COMBINATION OF LIGHTNING STRIKES...LOW HUMIDITIES AND GUSTY
  THUNDERSTORM WINDS WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW FIRE
  STARTS.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...SOME THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE WIND GUSTS 
  FROM 45 TO 60 MPH.

* IMPACTS...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH FROM 
  ANY NEW FIRE STARTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
3 follow-up statements
786 
WWUS85 KTFX 101550
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
950 AM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

MTZ115-102200-
/O.EXA.KTFX.FW.W.0018.120810T1800Z-120811T0300Z/
CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
950 AM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR DRY
THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
115...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREAT FALLS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS...WHICH IS
IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING. 

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 115.

* THUNDERSTORMS...MOSTLY DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER
  CENTRAL MONTANA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE COMBINATION OF
  LIGHTNING STRIKES...LOW HUMIDITIES AND GUSTY THUNDERSTORM WINDS
  WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW FIRE STARTS.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...SOME THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE WIND GUSTS 
  FROM 45 TO 60 MPH. 

* IMPACTS...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH FROM 
  ANY NEW FIRE STARTS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ114-116>118-102200-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0018.120810T1800Z-120811T0300Z/
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-
LINCOLN RANGER DISTRICT OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
950 AM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 114...116...117 AND 118...

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

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 114...116 AND 118.

* THUNDERSTORMS...MOSTLY DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER 
  SOUTHWEST AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MONTANA THIS AFTERNOON AND 
  EVENING. THE COMBINATION OF LIGHTNING STRIKES...LOW HUMIDITIES 
  AND GUSTY THUNDERSTORM WINDS WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR 
  NEW FIRE STARTS. 

* OUTFLOW WINDS...SOME THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE WIND GUSTS 
  FROM 45 TO 60 MPH. 

* IMPACTS...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH FROM 
  ANY NEW FIRE STARTS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
056 
WWUS85 KTFX 102035
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
235 PM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

MTZ114>118-110300-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-120811T0300Z/
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
LINCOLN RANGER DISTRICT OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
235 PM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 114...115...116...117 AND 118...

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

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 115.

* THUNDERSTORMS...A MIX OF WET AND DRY THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE
  OVER THE REGION THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS. THE COMBINATION OF
  LIGHTNING STRIKES...LOW HUMIDITIES AND GUSTY THUNDERSTORM WINDS
  WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW FIRE STARTS.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...SOME THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE WIND GUSTS 
  FROM 45 TO 60 MPH. 

* IMPACTS...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH FROM 
  ANY NEW FIRE STARTS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS
518 
WWUS85 KTFX 110252
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
852 PM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012


MTZ114>118-110400-
/O.EXP.KTFX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-120811T0300Z/
LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ROCKY
MOUNTAIN FRONT-CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES-
LINCOLN RANGER DISTRICT OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS-
HELENA AND TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL
FOREST-
852 PM MDT FRI AUG 10 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR DRY
THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
114...115...116... 117 AND 118...

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

THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DECREASED ACROSS THE AREA AND RELATIVE
HUMIDITES HAVE RISEN ABOVE 25 PERCENT. THUS THE RED FLAG WARNING
WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT.

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Great Falls, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 10, 2:07 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXJefferson38 min
Aug 10, 2:48 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXBroadwater42 min
Aug 10, 5:20 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXTeton40 min
Aug 10, 4:37 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXMadison38 min
Aug 10, 5:23 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXMadison37 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Montana, 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.