Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 18, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

March 22, 201719 counties in Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this red flag warning at Mar 22, 2017, 10:47 AM MDT for 19 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Mar 23, 2017, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 6 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
Mar 22, 2017, 10:47 AM MDT (16:47 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 23, 2017, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Mar 23, 2017, 6:00 PM MDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

Counties Adams County, CO, Arapahoe County, CO, Boulder County, CO, Broomfield County, CO, Clear Creek County, CO, Denver County, CO, Douglas County, CO, Elbert County, CO, Gilpin County, CO, Jefferson County, CO, Larimer County, CO, Lincoln County, CO, Logan County, CO, Morgan County, CO, Park County, CO, Phillips County, CO, Sedgwick County, CO, Washington County, CO, Weld County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 22 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:45 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

Denver, CO (KDEN), launched 12:00Z, 4.8 hours before the alert went out and 99 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, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2017-03-22Temperature 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, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2017-03-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 96 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
1772 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
96 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
136 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

561 
WWUS85 KBOU 221647
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1047 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2017

...Red Flag Warning for the Southern Foothills, Palmer Divide and
Adjacent Plains, including Denver and areas east and southeast Thursday
afternoon...

Conditions will be very warm and dry through most of the
afternoon Thursday, with gusty southerly winds expected. Colder
temperatures coupled with rain and snow will sweep across across 
much of the region Thursday night and Friday.

COZ240-241-245>247-249-230100-
/O.UPG.KBOU.FW.A.0015.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
1047 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE PALMER DIVIDE AND ADJACENT
PLAINS INCLUDING DENVER AND AREAS EAST AND SOUTHEAST...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...which is in effect
from noon to 6 PM MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is no
longer in effect.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 240...241...245...246... 
  247 and 249.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday Thursday 
  the afternoon with the relative humidities dropping to around 
  10 percent by early afternoon.

* Winds...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 10 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is
strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with local
law enforcement. 

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior. 

&&

$$

COZ216-239-230100-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
1047 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND LOWER
ELEVATIONS OF JEFFERSON...BOULDER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...which is in effect
from noon to 6 PM MDT Thursday.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 216 and 239...with Jefferson
  and Douglas counties seeing the strongest winds and critical
  fire weather conditions. 

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday Thursday 
  the afternoon with the relative humidities dropping to around 
  10 percent by early afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph,
  strongest in the foothills of Jefferson and Douglas counties.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 12 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of dry
  vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is strongly
  discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with local law 
  enforcement. 

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
6 follow-up statements
697 
WWUS85 KBOU 222223
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
423 PM MDT Wed Mar 22 2017

...Red Flag Warning for the Southern Foothills, Palmer Divide and
Adjacent Plains, including Denver and areas east and southeast
Thursday afternoon...

Conditions will be very warm and dry through most of the
afternoon Thursday, with gusty southerly winds expected. Colder
temperatures coupled with rain and snow will sweep across across
much of the region Thursday night and Friday.

COZ216-239>241-245>247-249-230630-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
423 PM MDT Wed Mar 22 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MDT
THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE PALMER DIVIDE
AND ADJACENT PLAINS INCLUDING DENVER AND AREAS EAST AND
SOUTHEAST...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 216...239...240...241... 
  245...246...247 and 249.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday Thursday 
  the afternoon with the relative humidities dropping to around 
  10 percent by early afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 10 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
107 
WWUS85 KBOU 230606
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1206 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...Red Flag Warning for the Southern Foothills, Palmer Divide and
Adjacent Plains, including Denver and areas east and southeast
Thursday afternoon...

Conditions will be very warm and dry through most of the
this afternoon, with gusty southerly winds expected. Colder 
temperatures coupled with rain and snow will sweep across across 
much of the region tonight and Friday.

COZ216-239>241-245>247-249-231815-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
1206 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE PALMER
DIVIDE AND ADJACENT PLAINS INCLUDING DENVER AND AREAS EAST AND
SOUTHEAST...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 216...239...240...241... 
  245...246...247 and 249.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday Thursday 
  the afternoon with the relative humidities dropping to around 
  10 percent by early afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 10 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
348 
WWUS85 KBOU 231038
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
438 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...Red Flag Warning for the Southern Foothills, Palmer Divide and
northeast Plains, including Denver this afternoon...

Conditions will be very warm and dry through most of the this
afternoon, with gusty southerly winds expected. Colder
temperatures coupled with rain and snow will sweep across across
much of the region tonight and Friday.

COZ242-244-248-250-251-231845-
/O.EXA.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Northeast Weld County-Morgan County-Logan County-Sedgwick County-
Phillips County-
438 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR northeast Weld,
Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick and Phillips Counties...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...which is in effect
from noon today to 6 PM MDT this evening.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 242...244...248...250 and 
  251.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday and
  continue through this afternoon with the relative humidities
  dropping to around 10 percent.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 9 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

COZ216-239>241-245>247-249-231845-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
438 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE PALMER
DIVIDE AND ADJACENT PLAINS INCLUDING DENVER AND AREAS EAST AND
SOUTHEAST...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 216...239...240...241... 
  245...246...247 and 249.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday and
  continue through this afternoon with the relative humidities
  dropping to around 10 percent.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 8 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
311 
WWUS85 KBOU 231243
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
643 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...Red Flag Warning for the Southern Foothills, Palmer Divide and
northeast Plains, including Denver this afternoon...

Conditions will be very warm and dry through this afternoon, with
gusty southerly winds expected. Colder temperatures coupled with 
rain and snow will sweep across across much of the region tonight 
and Friday.

COZ216-239>242-244>251-232045-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Northeast Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
643 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR Southern Foothills, 
Palmer Divide and Northeast Plains, including Denver...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 216...239...240...241... 
  242...244...245...246...247...248...249...250 and 251.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday and 
  continue through this afternoon with the relative humidities 
  dropping to around 10 percent.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 9 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
148 
WWUS85 KBOU 231458
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
858 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...Red Flag Warning for the Southern Foothills, Palmer Divide and
northeast Plains, including Denver this afternoon...

Conditions will be very warm and dry through this afternoon, with
gusty southerly winds expected. Colder temperatures coupled with
rain and snow will sweep across across much of the region tonight
and Friday. Weld and Larimer counties have been added to the
warning. With higher moisture levels over Phillips and Sedgwick
counties that humidity levels may not get low enough but will keep
the Red Flag Warning going for now. 

COZ238-243-232300-
/O.EXA.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Central and South Weld County-
858 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR LARIMER AND WELD
COUNTIES...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...which is in effect
from noon today to 6 PM MDT this evening.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 238 and 243. The strongest
  winds will be across Eastern portions of Weld and Larimer
  Counties. 

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday and 
  continue through this afternoon with the relative humidities 
  dropping to around 10 percent. 

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 11 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

COZ216-239>242-244>251-232300-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0018.170323T1800Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Northeast Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
858 AM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF
NORTHEAST COLORADO...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 216...239...240...241... 
  242...244...245...246...247...248...249...250 and 251.

* Timing...Gusty southerly winds will develop by midday and 
  continue through this afternoon with the relative humidities 
  dropping to around 10 percent.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...as low as 9 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid ignition of 
  dry vegetation, fire growth and spread. Any outdoor burning is 
  strongly discouraged, and in some areas, illegal. Check with 
  local law enforcement.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
775 
WWUS85 KBOU 240016
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
616 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017


COZ216-238>251-240130-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-170324T0000Z/
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
616 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHEASTERN PLAINS...

Conditions that warranted the Red Flag Warning have subsided. 
Winds will continue to gust up to 35 mph from the North but will 
introduce increasing relative humidity values.

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 22, 3:57 AM MDTFire Weather WatchBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert and 2 more7 hr
Mar 22, 3:58 PM MDTWinter Storm WatchBOUArapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin and 6 more24 hr
Mar 22, 4:18 PM MDTHigh Wind WatchBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, Lincoln23 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 2017Every red flag warning in 2017

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.