Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Great Falls, MT

August 16, 20178 counties in Montana

NWS Great Falls, MT issued this red flag warning at Aug 16, 2017, 2:51 PM MDT for 8 counties in Montana. It took effect at Aug 17, 2017, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 8 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 16, 2017, 2:51 PM MDT (20:51 UTC)
In effect from: Aug 17, 2017, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired: Aug 17, 2017, 7:46 PM MDT
In force: 8 hr
Issued by: NWS Great Falls, MT

Counties Blaine County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Chouteau County, MT, Fergus County, MT, Hill County, MT, Judith Basin County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Phillips County, MT

The radar

The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:52 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 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 58 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 2661 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 50 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

668 
WWUS85 KTFX 162051
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
251 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

MTZ113-115-170900-
/O.UPG.KTFX.FW.A.0010.170817T1800Z-170818T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0013.170817T1800Z-170818T0300Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170817T0300Z/
Hill and Blaine Counties-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
251 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 113 AND 115 FOR LOW TO VERY LOW 
RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Thursday. the
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* IMPACTS: Low to very low humidities and gusty winds will create
  erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts
  through early this evening and again on Thursday. While humidity
  will come up some tonight, overnight recover will be poor in
  several locations. 

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana, Fire Weather Zones 113 and 115.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Fergus.
  In North Central Montana, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill.

* WIND: West 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon.
  There will be a decrease in the wind tonight, followed by a wind
  shift out of the northwest Thursday morning. A northwest wind of
  10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph is expected in the wake of the
  front.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 10 percent this afternoon, then falling to 10
  to 15 percent Thursday afternoon. Humidity will improve to 40 to
  70 percent tonight.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

MARTIN

MTZ117-170900-
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0013.170817T1800Z-170818T0300Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170817T0300Z/
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
251 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 117 FOR LOW TO VERY LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS: Low to very low humidities and gusty winds will create
  erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts
  through early this evening and again on Thursday. While humidity
  will come up some tonight, overnight recover will be poor in
  several locations. 

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana, Fire Weather Zone 117.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Fergus, Judith Basin, Meagher.

* WIND: West 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon.
  There will be a decrease in the wind tonight, followed by a wind
  shift out of the northwest Thursday morning. A northwest wind of
  10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph is expected in the wake of the
  front.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 10 percent this afternoon, then falling to 10
  to 15 percent Thursday afternoon. Humidity will improve to 40 to
  70 percent tonight.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

$$

MARTIN

MTZ112-114-118-170300-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170817T0300Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest-
251 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 114 AND 118 FOR LOW TO VERY LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS...

* IMPACTS: Low to very low humidities and gusty winds will create 
  erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts. 

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana Fire Zones...112...114.
  In Southwest Montana Fire Zone....118.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, Teton
                             Toole.
  In Southwest Montana, Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson.

* WIND: West 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 10 to 15 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

$$

http://weather.gov/greatfalls

MARTIN

4 follow-up statements

785 
WWUS85 KTFX 170246
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
846 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

MTZ113-115-117-171200-
/O.EXP.KTFX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170817T0300Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0013.170817T1800Z-170818T0300Z/
Hill and Blaine Counties-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
846 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT
THURSDAY...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities and Strong Gusty Winds will create
  erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts
  for Thursday afternoon and evening.
 
* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana, Fire Weather Zones 113, 115 and 117.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Fergus, Judith Basin, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill.

* WIND: West 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 14 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

MTZ112-114-118-170400-
/O.EXP.KTFX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170817T0300Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest-
846 PM MDT Wed Aug 16 2017

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

Although relative humidity values remain low...diminishing winds
will allow for the expiration of the Red Flag Warning this evening.
Elevated fire danger is still expected through the night as 
relative humidity recovery remains poor. Thursday will see another
day of elevated to critical fire danger...with low RH values and 
breezy northwest winds expected.

$$

http://weather.gov/greatfalls

822 
WWUS85 KTFX 170909
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
309 AM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

MTZ113-115-117-180015-
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0014.170818T1800Z-170819T0300Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0013.170817T1800Z-170818T0300Z/
Hill and Blaine Counties-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
309 AM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 113, 115, AND 117...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR LOW
RH AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 113, 115, AND 117...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Friday.

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities and Strong Gusty Winds will create 
  erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts. 

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana, Fire Weather Zones 113, 115 and 117.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Fergus, Judith Basin, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill.

* WIND: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. 

* HUMIDITY: As low as 12 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

MTZ112-114-116-118-180015-
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0014.170818T1800Z-170819T0300Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
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-
309 AM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR LOW
RH AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112, 114, 116, AND
118...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Friday.

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities and Strong Gusty Winds will create 
  erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts. 

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana Fire Zones...112...114.
  In Southwest Montana Fire Zones...116...118.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, Teton
                             Toole.
  In Southwest Montana, Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson.

* WIND: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 11 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://weather.gov/greatfalls

590 
WWUS85 KTFX 171820
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1220 PM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

MTZ113-115-117-180400-
/O.EXT.KTFX.FW.W.0014.170818T1800Z-170819T1200Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-170818T0300Z/
Hill and Blaine Counties-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
1220 PM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE EASTERN PORTIONS 
OF NORTH CENTRAL MT...

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM MDT 
SATURDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE EASTERN PORTIONS
OF NORTH CENTRAL MT...

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities...Hot Temperatures...and Strong Gusty
  Winds will create erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of
  new fire starts. Humidity recover will be poor on Friday night
  along with windy conditions.

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana, Fire Weather Zones 113, 115 and 117.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Fergus, Judith Basin, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill.

* WIND: West 10 to 20 mph...with gusts up to 30 mph today and up 
  to 35 mph on Friday afternoon and night.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 12 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

MTZ112-114-116-118-180400-
/O.EXT.KTFX.FW.W.0014.170818T1800Z-170819T1200Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
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-
1220 PM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM MDT
SATURDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE WESTERN PORTIONS
OF NORTH CENTRAL MT...

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities...Hot Temperatures...and Strong Gusty
  Winds will create erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of
  new fire starts. Humidity recover will be poor on Friday night
  along with windy conditions.

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana Fire Zones...112...114.
  In Southwest Montana Fire Zones...116...118.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, Teton
                             Toole.
  In Southwest Montana, Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson.

* WIND: West 10 to 20 mph..with gusts up to 35 mph.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 11 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://weather.gov/greatfalls

938 
WWUS85 KTFX 180146
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
746 PM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

MTZ113-115-117-181700-
/O.CAN.KTFX.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-170818T0300Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0014.170818T1800Z-170819T1200Z/
Hill and Blaine Counties-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
746 PM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM MDT
SATURDAY...

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities...Hot Temperatures...and Gusty Winds 
  will create erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new 
  fire starts. Humidity recover will be poor on Friday night
  along with windy conditions.

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana, Fire Weather Zones 113, 115 and 117.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Fergus, Judith Basin, Meagher.
  In North Central Montana, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill.

* WIND: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday afternoon.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 12 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

MTZ112-114-116-118-181700-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0014.170818T1800Z-170819T1200Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
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-
746 PM MDT Thu Aug 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM MDT
SATURDAY...

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities...Hot Temperatures...and Gusty Winds 
  will create erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new 
  fire starts. Humidity recover will be poor on Friday night
  along with windy conditions.

* AFFECTED AREA: 
  In North Central Montana Fire Zones...112...114.
  In Southwest Montana Fire Zones...116...118.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED: 
  In Central Montana, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher. 
  In North Central Montana, Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, 
   Toole. 
  In Southwest Montana, Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson.

* WIND: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 13 percent.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://weather.gov/greatfalls

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 16, 3:52 AM MDT	Fire Weather Watch	TFX	Blaine, Chouteau, Fergus, Hill, Phillips	11 hr
Aug 16, 3:52 AM MDT	Red Flag Warning	TFX	Blaine, Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin and 11 more	17 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Montana, 2017 Every 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.