Alert archive / Iowa / Red Flag Warnings in 2014

Red Flag Warning 1, NWS La Crosse, WI

April 9, 20148 counties in Iowa; 7 counties in Minnesota

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this red flag warning at Apr 9, 2014, 2:30 AM CDT for 8 counties in Iowa; 7 counties in Minnesota. It took effect at Apr 9, 2014, 12:00 PM CDT. It was in force for 7 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
Apr 9, 2014, 2:30 AM CDT (07:30 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 9, 2014, 12:00 PM CDT
Expired
Apr 9, 2014, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI

Counties Allamakee County, IA, Chickasaw County, IA, Clayton County, IA, Fayette County, IA, Floyd County, IA, Howard County, IA, Mitchell County, IA, Winneshiek County, IA, Dodge County, MN, Fillmore County, MN, Houston County, MN, Mower County, MN, Olmsted County, MN, Wabasha County, MN, Winona County, MN

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 85 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:28 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

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

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 190 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2014-04-09Temperature 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, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2014-04-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 23 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1812 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
62 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.

985 
WWUS83 KARX 090730
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
230 AM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EARLY EVENING...

.RED FLAG CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY
EVENING. DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS...COUPLED WITH DRY GRASSES AND
BRUSH...WILL ALLOW ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY.
AVOID OUTDOOR BURNING TODAY.

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-091530-
/O.NEW.KARX.FW.W.0001.140409T1700Z-140410T0000Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-FAYETTE-
CLAYTON-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-
230 AM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND
NORTHEAST IOWA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING. 

* AFFECTED AREA...MITCHELL...HOWARD...WINNESHIEK...ALLAMAKEE...
  FLOYD...CHICKASAW...FAYETTE...CLAYTON COUNTIES IN IOWA. DODGE...
  OLMSTED...WINONA...MOWER...FILLMORE...HOUSTON COUNTIES IN
  MINNESOTA.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 25 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES...HIGHS MOSTLY IN THE LOWER 70S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

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.

&&

$$

RIECK
3 follow-up statements
975 
WWUS83 KARX 090827
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
327 AM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EARLY EVENING...

.RED FLAG CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY
EVENING. DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS...COUPLED WITH DRY GRASSES AND
BRUSH...WILL ALLOW ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY.
AVOID OUTDOOR BURNING TODAY.

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-091630-
/O.CON.KARX.FW.W.0001.140409T1700Z-140410T0000Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-FAYETTE-
CLAYTON-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-
327 AM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA
AND NORTHEAST IOWA...

* AFFECTED AREA...MITCHELL...HOWARD...WINNESHIEK...ALLAMAKEE... 
  FLOYD...CHICKASAW...FAYETTE...CLAYTON COUNTIES IN IOWA. 
  DODGE... OLMSTED...WINONA...MOWER...FILLMORE...HOUSTON 
  COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA. 

* WIND...SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 25 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES...HIGHS MOSTLY IN THE LOWER 70S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

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.

&&

$$
031 
WWUS83 KARX 091559
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
1059 AM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS REMAIN ON TRACK FOR THIS
AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...

.RED FLAG CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON INTO
THE EARLY EVENING. DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS...COUPLED WITH DRY
GRASSES AND BRUSH...WILL ALLOW ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP TO SPREAD
VERY QUICKLY. AVOID OUTDOOR BURNING THROUGH THIS EVENING

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-100000-
/O.CON.KARX.FW.W.0001.140409T1700Z-140410T0000Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-FAYETTE-
CLAYTON-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-
1059 AM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN IOWA...MITCHELL...HOWARD...WINNESHIEK... 
  ALLAMAKEE...FLOYD...CHICKASAW...FAYETTE...CLAYTON. IN 
  MINNESOTA...WABASHA...DODGE...OLMSTED...WINONA...MOWER... 
  FILLMORE...HOUSTON. 

* TIMING...MOST CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
  BETWEEN 2 AND 7 PM.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 25 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES...HIGHS MOSTLY IN THE LOWER 70S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

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.

&&

$$

AJ
930 
WWUS83 KARX 092003
RFWARX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
303 PM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING...

.RED FLAG CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING. DRY
AND WINDY CONDITIONS...COUPLED WITH DRY GRASSES AND BRUSH...WILL
ALLOW ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY. AVOID OUTDOOR
BURNING THROUGH THIS EVENING

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-100000-
/O.CON.KARX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-140410T0000Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-FAYETTE-
CLAYTON-WABASHA-DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-
303 PM CDT WED APR 9 2014

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN IOWA...MITCHELL...HOWARD...WINNESHIEK... 
  ALLAMAKEE...FLOYD...CHICKASAW...FAYETTE...CLAYTON. IN 
  MINNESOTA...WABASHA...DODGE...OLMSTED...WINONA...MOWER... 
  FILLMORE...HOUSTON. 

* TIMING...MOST CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS BETWEEN 4 AND 7
  PM.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...25 TO 30 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...65 TO 70.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

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.

&&

$$

AJ

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Iowa, 2014Red Flag Warnings in Minnesota, 2014Every red flag warning in 2014

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.