Alert archive / Idaho / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 16, NWS Spokane, WA

August 30, 20175 counties in Idaho

NWS Spokane, WA issued this red flag warning at Aug 30, 2017, 6:49 AM PDT for 5 counties in Idaho. It took effect at Aug 30, 2017, 11:00 AM PDT. 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 30, 2017, 6:49 AM PDT (13:49 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 30, 2017, 11:00 AM PDT
Expired
Aug 30, 2017, 8:00 PM PDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Spokane, WA

Counties Benewah County, ID, Bonner County, ID, Boundary County, ID, Kootenai County, ID, Shoshone County, ID

The radar

The Spokane radar (KOTX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:49 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

Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 12:00Z, 1.8 hours before the alert went out and 19 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, Spokane, WA at 12:00Z on 2017-08-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 3 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Spokane, WA at 12:00Z on 2017-08-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 36 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
3 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-532 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3227 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
36 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
80 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

273 
WWUS86 KOTX 301349
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
649 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...Scattered dry thunderstorms possible over Northeastern
Washington and North Idaho today...

.A disturbance tracking out of Oregon will bring a threat for
scattered thunderstorms across Northeastern Washington and North
Idaho early this afternoon...largely between 1300 and 1700 pdt.
Thunderstorms will be dry in nature and bring a threat for gusty
outflow winds on the order of 25 to 35 mph on average. Isolated 
stronger gusts cannot be ruled out.

IDZ101-WAZ686-302200-
/O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0016.170830T1800Z-170831T0100Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
East Washington Northeast (Zone 686)-
649 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM PDT
THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR Northeast Washington (Zone 686)
and North Idaho (Zone 101)...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms...which is in effect from 11 AM this
morning to 6 PM PDT this evening.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 101 Northern and Central 
  Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101) and Fire Weather Zone 686 East 
  Washington Northeast (Zone 686).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered dry thunderstorms are expected to
  develop around 1200 pdt and track across northeastern Washington
  and North Idaho through the afternoon. Most lightning activity
  will be out of the area by 1700 pdt.

* Outflow Winds: Hi-res models indicate the potential for outflow
  winds between 30 and 35 mph. Locally stronger wind gusts cannot
  be ruled out. 

* Impacts: Any lightning strikes will lead to the potential for
  new fire starts. Gusty outflow winds could fan new ignitions.
  Any personnel on ongoing incidents should be prepared for
  lightning strikes and gusty outflow winds as these storms move
  through.

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.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
766 
WWUS86 KOTX 301704
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1004 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...COLD FRONT TO PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY AROUND
ELLENSBURG AND SCATTERED LIGHTNING FOR IDAHO PANHANDLE AND
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON...

.The arrival of a cold front today will cause winds to increase
through the Cascade Gaps including the Ellensburg area. The
combination of gusty winds and low humidity will heighten the
potential for rapid fire spread in the Kittitas Valley. The cold
front will also have the potential to trigger scattered showers
and thunderstorms over the Idaho Panhandle and northeast
Washington this afternoon.

WAZ676-310300-
/O.EXB.KOTX.FW.W.0016.170830T2000Z-170831T0300Z/
East Washington South Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676)-
1004 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM
PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE ZONE 676
INCLUDING ELLENSBURG...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low humidity...which is in effect from 1 PM 
this afternoon to 8 PM PDT this evening.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 676 East Washington South 
  Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676).

* Winds: Sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
  Localized gusts around Ellensburg up to 35 mph will be possible
  early this evening.

* Relative Humidity: Humidity 13 to 23 percent this afternoon 
  improving to 25 to 30 percent by early evening.

* Impacts: Grass and brush fires in the Kittitas Valley and along
  Interstate 90 toward Ryegrass Summit and Vantage will have the 
  potential to spread quickly this afternoon and early this 
  evening.

* Winds: northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Timing: The lowest humidity will occur early to mid afternoon.
  The gustiest winds will occur early this evening.


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.

&&

$$

IDZ101-WAZ686-310100-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0016.170830T1800Z-170831T0100Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
East Washington Northeast (Zone 686)-
1004 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM PDT
THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR NORTHEAST WASHINGTON (Zone 
686) AND THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL IDAHO PANHANDLE (Zone 101)...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms...which is in effect from 11 AM this
morning to 6 PM PDT this evening.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 101 Northern and Central 
  Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101) and Fire Weather Zone 686 East 
  Washington Northeast (Zone 686).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered thunderstorms will be possible along
  and ahead of a cold front by early to mid afternoon. Cells will
  not produce much measurable precipitation as they move to the
  northeast around 20 to 30 mph.

* Outflow Winds: Outflow wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be
  possible with showers and thunderstorms. Cells do not have to be
  producing lightning to be capable of producing gusty and erratic
  outflow winds. 

* Impacts: Any lightning strikes will lead to the potential for
  new fire starts. Gusty outflow winds could fan new ignitions.
  Any personnel on ongoing incidents should be prepared for
  lightning strikes and gusty outflow winds as these storms move
  through.

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.

&&

$$
335 
WWUS86 KOTX 302156
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
256 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...COLD FRONT TO PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY AROUND
ELLENSBURG AND SCATTERED LIGHTNING FOR IDAHO PANHANDLE...

.Thunderstorms may clip southern Shoshone County and portions of
Bonner and Boundary counties late this afternoon as a cold front
sweeps through the Idaho Panhandle. At this time it looks like the
threat of thunderstorms for northeast Washington is too low to
continue the Red Flag Warning for Stevens and Pend Oreille
counties. Gusty winds and low humidity are ongoing in the
Ellensburg areas. Humidity levels will increase this evening.

WAZ686-302300-
/O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170831T0100Z/
East Washington Northeast (Zone 686)-
256 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SCATTERED LIGHTNING FOR
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON FIRE ZONE 686...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red
Flag Warning for Washington Fire Zone 686 in northeast Washington
including Colville, Northport, Cusick, Newport, and Deer Park.

Thunderstorms have not materialized over northeast Washington this
afternoon. At this time, it looks unlikely that storms will
develop before a cold front sweeps through the area late this
afternoon.

$$

WAZ676-310300-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170831T0300Z/
East Washington South Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676)-
256 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FOR WASHINGTON FIRE ZONE 676
INCLUDING THE ELLENSBURG AREA...

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 676 East Washington South 
  Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676).

* Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the 
  evening. In the Kittitas Valley, west wind 18 to 28 mph with 
  gusts up to 35 mph in the evening decreasing to 12 to 16 mph 
  with gusts to 25 mph overnight.

* Relative Humidity: Humidity 13 to 23 percent this afternoon 
  improving to 25 to 30 percent by early evening.

* Impacts: Grass and brush fires in the Kittitas Valley and 
  along Interstate 90 toward Ryegrass Summit and Vantage will 
  have the potential to spread quickly this afternoon and early 
  this evening.

* Winds: northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Timing: The lowest humidity will occur early to mid afternoon. 
  The gustiest winds will occur early this evening.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ101-310100-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170831T0100Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
256 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR SCATTERED LIGHTNING FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE...

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 101 Northern and Central 
  Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered thunderstorms will be possible along
  and ahead of a cold this afternoon. Cells will not produce much
  measurable precipitation as they move to the northeast around 
  20 to 30 mph.

* Outflow Winds: Outflow wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be 
  possible with showers and thunderstorms. Cells do not have to 
  be producing lightning to be capable of producing gusty and 
  erratic outflow winds.

* Impacts: Any lightning strikes will lead to the potential for 
  new fire starts. Gusty outflow winds could fan new ignitions. 
  Any personnel on ongoing incidents should be prepared for 
  lightning strikes and gusty outflow winds as these storms move 
  through.

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.

&&

$$
579 
WWUS86 KOTX 310100
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
600 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...COLD FRONT TO PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY AROUND
ELLENSBURG...

.Gusty winds and low humidity are ongoing in the Ellensburg 
areas. Humidity levels will increase this evening.

IDZ101-310200-
/O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170831T0100Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
600 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR  
SCATTERED LIGHTNING FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE... 

There is the potential for isolated thunderstorms across the south
central Panhandle early this evening, but the threat for scattered
lighting has diminished. 
$$

WAZ676-310300-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170831T0300Z/
East Washington South Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676)-
600 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR WASHINGTON FIRE ZONE 676 INCLUDING
THE ELLENSBURG AREA...

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 676 East Washington South 
  Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676).

* Winds....Northwest ...15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the 
  evening. In the Kittitas Valley, west wind 18 to 28 mph with 
  gusts up to 35 mph in the evening decreasing to 12 to 16 mph 
  with gusts to 25 mph overnight.

* Relative Humidity: Humidity 13 to 25 percent this evening.

* Impacts: Grass and brush fires in the Kittitas Valley and 
  along Interstate 90 toward Ryegrass Summit and Vantage will 
  have the potential to spread quickly this afternoon and early 
  this evening.

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.

&&

$$
674 
WWUS86 KOTX 310247
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
747 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

WAZ676-310400-
/O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170831T0300Z/
East Washington South Central Cascade Valleys (Zone 676)-
747 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR 
WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR WASHINGTON FIRE ZONE 676 INCLUDING
THE ELLENSBURG AREA...

Humidities have recovered early this evening and will continue to
rise overnight. Breezy westerly winds will persist through the
evening with speeds of 20 to 30 mph, but should gradually taper 
off overnight. 

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Spokane, WA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 30, 3:47 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXAsotin58 min
Aug 29, 11:49 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXBenewah41 min
Aug 30, 3:11 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXLewis49 min
Aug 30, 4:16 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXLewis, Nez Perce59 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Idaho, 2017Red Flag Warnings in Washington, 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.