Alert archive / Texas / Red Flag Warnings in 2018

Red Flag Warning 1, NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX

March 18, 201827 counties in Texas

NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX issued this red flag warning at Mar 18, 2018, 2:55 PM CDT for 27 counties in Texas. It took effect at Mar 19, 2018, 10:00 AM CDT. 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
Mar 18, 2018, 2:55 PM CDT (19:55 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 19, 2018, 10:00 AM CDT
Expired
Mar 19, 2018, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX
All 27 counties

Atascosa County, TX, Bandera County, TX, Bastrop County, TX, Bexar County, TX, Blanco County, TX, Burnet County, TX, Caldwell County, TX, Comal County, TX, Dimmit County, TX, Edwards County, TX, Frio County, TX, Gillespie County, TX, Guadalupe County, TX, Hays County, TX, Kendall County, TX, Kerr County, TX, Kinney County, TX, Llano County, TX, Maverick County, TX, Medina County, TX, Real County, TX, Travis County, TX, Uvalde County, TX, Val Verde County, TX, Williamson County, TX, Wilson County, TX, Zavala County, TX

The radar

The Austin/San Antonio radar (KEWX), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:54 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

Del Rio, TX (KDLF), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 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, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 2018-03-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 7 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, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 2018-03-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -80 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
7 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-361 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2218 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
75 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-80 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
91 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

199 
WWUS84 KEWX 181955
RFWEWX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
255 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018

...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Expected on Monday Morning
Through Monday Evening across the western Hill Country, Edwards 
Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, and Winter Garden regions...

Dry, gusty, and warm conditions will prevail on Monday behind a 
Pacific cold front. Relative humidity values will fall to very low
values of 5 to 20 percent Monday afternoon. At the same time, 
northwest winds are forecast to be around 10 to 20 mph with 
occasional gusts to 25 to 30 mph. This will result in critical 
fire weather conditions for the western Hill Country, Edwards
Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, and Winter Garden regions, especially
when combined with ongoing drought conditions and dry fuels. The 
most likely areas to experience critical fire weather conditions 
will be near a Burnet to Hondo to Carrizo Springs line and west to
the Rio Grande. Near critical to critical fire weather conditions
are also expected in the eastern Hill Country, Austin and San
Antonio metro areas, and portions of the Coastal Plains. The Red
Flag Warning may need to be expanded farther east if confidence
increases in wind speeds to trend higher.


TXZ171-172-183>190-202>204-217>219-228-190400-
/O.UPG.KEWX.FW.A.0001.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KEWX.FW.W.0001.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Llano-Burnet-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-Gillespie-
Kendall-Blanco-Kinney-Uvalde-Medina-Maverick-Zavala-Frio-Dimmit-
255 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM CDT MONDAY FOR
VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has issued a
Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT
Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 

*AFFECTED AREA...Western Hill Country, Edwards Plateau, Rio 
 Grande Plains, and Winter Garden regions.

* WIND...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
  burning is strongly discouraged.

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.

&&

$$

TXZ173-191>194-205>209-220-221-223-190400-
/O.NEW.KEWX.FW.A.0002.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Williamson-Hays-Travis-Bastrop-Lee-Bexar-Comal-Guadalupe-Caldwell-
Fayette-Atascosa-Wilson-Gonzales-
255 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH 
MONDAY EVENING FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has issued a
Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Monday morning
through Monday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Hill Country, Austin and San Antonio 
  Metro Areas, and portions of the Coastal Plains. 

* WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...10 to 20 percent. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
412 
WWUS84 KEWX 190139
RFWEWX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
839 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018

...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Expected on Monday Morning
Through Monday Evening across the western Hill Country, Edwards
Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, and Winter Garden regions...

Dry, gusty, and warm conditions will prevail on Monday behind a
Pacific cold front. Relative humidity values will fall to very
low values of 5 to 20 percent Monday afternoon. At the same time,
northwest winds are forecast to be around 10 to 20 mph with
occasional gusts to 25 to 30 mph. This will result in critical
fire weather conditions for the western Hill Country, Edwards
Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, and Winter Garden regions, especially
when combined with ongoing drought conditions and dry fuels. The
most likely areas to experience critical fire weather conditions
will be near a Burnet to Hondo to Carrizo Springs line and west
to the Rio Grande. Near critical to critical fire weather
conditions are also expected in the eastern Hill Country, Austin
and San Antonio metro areas, and portions of the Coastal Plains.
The Red Flag Warning may need to be expanded farther east if
confidence increases in wind speeds to trend higher.

TXZ171-172-183>190-202>204-217>219-228-191200-
/O.CON.KEWX.FW.W.0001.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Llano-Burnet-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-Gillespie-
Kendall-Blanco-Kinney-Uvalde-Medina-Maverick-Zavala-Frio-Dimmit-
839 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM CDT
MONDAY FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Western Hill Country, Edwards Plateau, Rio 
  Grande Plains, and Winter Garden regions. 

* WIND...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor 
  burning is strongly discouraged.

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. Outdoor burning is not
recommended. Avoid outdoor activities that could inadvertently 
cause wildfires. Report wildfires quickly to the nearest fire 
department or law enforcement office.

&&

$$

TXZ173-191>194-205>209-220-221-223-191200-
/O.CON.KEWX.FW.A.0002.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Williamson-Hays-Travis-Bastrop-Lee-Bexar-Comal-Guadalupe-Caldwell-
Fayette-Atascosa-Wilson-Gonzales-
839 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Hill Country, Austin and San Antonio 
  Metro Areas, and portions of the Coastal Plains. 

* WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...10 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Avoid
outdoor activities that could inadvertently cause wildfires. Report
wildfires quickly to the nearest fire department or law enforcement
office. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings

&&

$$
374 
WWUS84 KEWX 191044
RFWEWX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
544 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...Red Flag Warning for Critical Fire Weather Conditions is in 
effect from 10 AM this morning until 7 PM this evening for 
counties along and west of the Interstate 35 corridor due to dry, 
warm and breezy conditions...

Dry, gusty, and warm conditions are in store across the region
today. Relative humidity values will fall to very low values of 
5 to 15 percent this afternoon. At the same time, northwest winds
are forecast to be around 10 to 20 mph with occasional gusts to 
25 to 30 mph. This will result in critical fire weather conditions
for counties along and west of the Interstate 35 corridor. The
gusty winds are expected to subside around sunset. However,
another cold front will move through tonight, shifting winds to a
more northerly direction and keeping wind speeds elevated tonight.

TXZ193-194-207>209-220-221-223-191145-
/O.CAN.KEWX.FW.A.0002.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Bastrop-Lee-Guadalupe-Caldwell-Fayette-Atascosa-Wilson-Gonzales-
544 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH...

The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has cancelled
the Fire Weather Watch. 

Counties east of the Interstate 35 corridor will see dry and
breezy conditions this afternoon. However, conditions are not
expected to reach critical thresholds. Residents are still urged
to use caution today, especially involving any activities that may
generate sparks.

$$

TXZ173-191-192-205-206-200000-
/O.UPG.KEWX.FW.A.0002.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
/O.EXA.KEWX.FW.W.0001.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Williamson-Hays-Travis-Bexar-Comal-
544 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM CDT
THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has issued a
Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to
7 PM CDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in
effect. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Counties along and west of the Interstate 35
  corridor. 

* WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Avoid
outdoor activities that could inadvertently cause wildfires.
Report wildfires quickly to the nearest fire department or law
enforcement office. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red
Flag Warnings

&&

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.

&&

$$

TXZ171-172-183>190-202>204-217>219-228-200000-
/O.CON.KEWX.FW.W.0001.180319T1500Z-180320T0000Z/
Llano-Burnet-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-Gillespie-
Kendall-Blanco-Kinney-Uvalde-Medina-Maverick-Zavala-Frio-Dimmit-
544 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Counties along and west of the Interstate 35
  corridor.

* WIND...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY...5 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor 
  burning is strongly discouraged.

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. Outdoor burning is not
recommended. Avoid outdoor activities that could inadvertently
cause wildfires. Report wildfires quickly to the nearest fire
department or law enforcement office.

&&

$$
945 
WWUS84 KEWX 191643 AAA
RFWEWX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
1143 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...Red Flag Warning for Critical Fire Weather Conditions is in
effect now until 7 PM this evening for counties along and west of
the Interstate 35 corridor due to dry, warm and breezy 
conditions...

Dry, gusty winds, and warm conditions are in store across the 
region today. Relative humidity values will fall to very low 
values of 5 to 15 percent this afternoon. At the same time, 
northwest winds are forecast to be around 10 to 20 mph with 
occasional gusts to 25 to 30 mph. This will result in critical 
fire weather conditions for counties along and west of the 
Interstate 35 corridor. The gusty winds are expected to subside 
around sunset. However, another cold front will move through 
tonight, shifting winds to a more northerly direction and keeping 
wind speeds elevated overnight.

TXZ171>173-183>192-202>206-217>219-228-200000-
/O.CON.KEWX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-180320T0000Z/
Llano-Burnet-Williamson-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-
Gillespie-Kendall-Blanco-Hays-Travis-Kinney-Uvalde-Medina-Bexar-
Comal-Maverick-Zavala-Frio-Dimmit-
1143 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Counties along and west of the Interstate 35 
  corridor. 

* WIND...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY...5 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor 
  burning is strongly discouraged.

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. Outdoor burning is not
recommended. Avoid outdoor activities that could inadvertently
cause wildfires. Report wildfires quickly to the nearest fire
department or law enforcement office.

&&

$$

Allen
561 
WWUS84 KEWX 191853 AAA
RFWEWX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
153 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...Red Flag Warning for Critical Fire Weather Conditions is in
effect now until 7 PM this evening for many portions of South-
Central Texas...

Low humidity, gusty winds, and warm conditions are in store 
across the region today. Relative humidity values will fall to 
very low values of 5 to 15 percent this afternoon. At the same 
time, northwest winds are forecast to be around 10 to 20 mph with
occasional gusts to 20 to 30 mph. This will result in critical 
fire weather conditions. The gusty winds are expected to subside 
around sunset with improving conditions thereafter. 

TXZ193-207-208-220-221-200000-
/O.EXA.KEWX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-180320T0000Z/
Bastrop-Guadalupe-Caldwell-Atascosa-Wilson-
153 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has issued a
Red Flag Warning, which is in effect until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Counties along and west of the Interstate 35 
  corridor. 

* WIND...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY...5 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor 
  burning is strongly discouraged.

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. Outdoor burning is not
recommended. Avoid outdoor activities that could inadvertently
cause wildfires. Report wildfires quickly to the nearest fire
department or law enforcement office.

&&

$$

TXZ171>173-183>192-202>206-217>219-228-200000-
/O.CON.KEWX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-180320T0000Z/
Llano-Burnet-Williamson-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-
Gillespie-Kendall-Blanco-Hays-Travis-Kinney-Uvalde-Medina-Bexar-
Comal-Maverick-Zavala-Frio-Dimmit-
153 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND GUSTY WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Counties along and west of the Interstate 35 
  corridor. 

* WIND...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* HUMIDITY...5 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor 
  burning is strongly discouraged.

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. Outdoor burning is not
recommended. Avoid outdoor activities that could inadvertently
cause wildfires. Report wildfires quickly to the nearest fire
department or law enforcement office.

&&

$$

Allen

The office that day

Everything else NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 17, 7:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXCaldwell27 min
Mar 17, 7:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXBurnet49 min
Mar 17, 7:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXBurnet, Williamson52 min
Mar 17, 8:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXWilliamson33 min
Mar 17, 9:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXWilliamson48 min
Mar 17, 9:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXLee44 min
Mar 18, 2:55 PM CDTFire Weather WatchEWXAtascosa, Bastrop, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette and 7 more15 hr
Mar 18, 4:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXLee43 min
Mar 18, 4:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXLee18 min
Mar 18, 5:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXLee46 min
Mar 18, 5:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXLee39 min
Mar 18, 5:53 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXLee52 min
Mar 18, 5:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXGonzales50 min
Mar 18, 6:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXBexar42 min
Mar 18, 6:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXGonzales53 min
Mar 18, 6:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXBastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Gonzales45 min
Mar 18, 6:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXWilliamson29 min
Mar 18, 6:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXFayette, Gonzales, Lavaca42 min
Mar 18, 6:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXDeWitt38 min
Mar 18, 6:41 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXDeWitt, Karnes49 min
Mar 18, 6:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEWXGuadalupe42 min
Mar 18, 6:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXBastrop, Fayette, Lee52 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Texas, 2018Every red flag warning in 2018

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.