Red Flag Warning 6, NWS Missoula, MT

000 
WWUS85 KMSO 161027
RFWMSO

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
427 AM MDT FRI AUG 16 2013

MTZ108>111-170300-
/O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0006.130816T1800Z-130817T0300Z/
EAST LOLO-BITTERROOT-DEERLODGE/WEST BEAVERHEAD-EAST BEAVERHEAD-
427 AM MDT FRI AUG 16 2013

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES ACROSS THE EAST
LOLO...BITTERROOT...DEERLODGE/WEST BEAVERHEAD...EAST BEAVERHEAD...

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

* WINDS: 10 TO 20 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS TO 30 MPH.

* MINIMUM HUMIDITY: 5 TO 14 PERCENT.

* HAINES: HIGH (6)

* TIMING: CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL DEVELOP DURING 
  THE AFTERNOON WHEN A CULMINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...VERY LOW 
  HUMIDITY READINGS AND HIGH HAINES WILL OCCUR. THESE EXTREME 
  READINGS WILL LAST THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EARLY 
  EVENING HOURS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING IS INTENDED TO ALERT LAND MANAGERS TO EXPECTED
WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT ALONG WITH SUFFICIENTLY DRY FUELS...WILL
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE FIRE DANGER.

&&

$$

811 
WWUS85 KMSO 170251
RFWMSO

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
851 PM MDT FRI AUG 16 2013

MTZ108>111-170400-
/O.EXP.KMSO.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-130817T0300Z/
EAST LOLO-BITTERROOT-DEERLODGE/WEST BEAVERHEAD-EAST BEAVERHEAD-
851 PM MDT FRI AUG 16 2013

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
EAST LOLO...BITTERROOT...DEERLODGE/WEST BEAVERHEAD...EAST
BEAVERHEAD...

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

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
345 AM MDT Thu Aug 15 2013

.DISCUSSION...
Today through Friday...A very warm, dry ridge of high pressure
will reside over north-central Idaho and western Montana during
the period. A subtle shift to the east by the ridge on Friday will
open up a southwest flow aloft where some limited moisture could
offer a thunderstorm or two across the Idaho Panhandle and
northwest Montana later in the afternoon and evening. Otherwise,
conditions will be quite dry and warm, especially warm today.

Saturday...The ridge will continue to flatten out and move to the
east allowing a southwesterly flow and a shortwave to move in.
There isn't a lot of moisture with this, though there will be just
enough instability to help kick off a few thunderstorms for
Locations of Missoula south, including Idaho, and light rain-
showers north of Missoula.

For the the start of the week, Models suggestion a week system
moving into the region from the southwest, that could bring a few
scattered thunderstorms. At this time mainly southwestern Montana
and Lemhi County will be affected. Temperatures will be around
normal for this time of the year for the majority of the Northern
Rockies next week.

&&

.AVIATION...Conditions will be favorable for aviation operations
with virtually clear skies. However, smoke from area wildfires
could be the fly in the ointment, potentially limiting visibility
if fire behavior increases significantly.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...A very warm, dry day today will followed by a few
breezy days (Friday and Saturday). Conditions may be approaching
critical levels across the Lolo, Bitterroot, and Beaverhead-
Deerlodge National Forests on Friday where afternoon humidities
will be in the low teens (some single digits) with increasing
afternoon winds, and a Haines Index of 6 (HIGH).

Fire behavior could remain quite active across the Beaverhead-
Deerlodge N.F. on Saturday where humidities will remain quite low
and west winds will be gusting from the west.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...RED FLAG WARNING from Noon MDT /11 AM PDT/ today to 9 PM MDT /8
     PM PDT/ Friday Eastern Lemhi County...Southern Clearwater
     Mountains...Western Lemhi County.

&&

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