Alert archive / Texas / Red Flag Warnings in 2018
Red Flag Warning 8, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this red flag warning at Mar 16, 2018, 2:51 PM CDT for 19 counties in Texas. It took effect at Mar 18, 2018, 12:00 PM CDT. It was in force for 33 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Mar 16, 2018, 2:51 PM CDT (19:51 UTC)
- In effect from
- Mar 18, 2018, 12:00 PM CDT
- Expired
- Mar 19, 2018, 9:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 33 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
Counties Andrews County, TX, Borden County, TX, Crane County, TX, Dawson County, TX, Ector County, TX, Gaines County, TX, Glasscock County, TX, Howard County, TX, Loving County, TX, Martin County, TX, Midland County, TX, Mitchell County, TX, Pecos County, TX, Reagan County, TX, Scurry County, TX, Terrell County, TX, Upton County, TX, Ward County, TX, Winkler County, TX
The radar
The Midland/Odessa radar (KMAF), 7 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:58 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 3:30 PM CDT | WILDFIRE | 4 Sw Monahans, TX | WARD COUNTY WILDFIRE BURNED FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS AND WAS STARTED WHEN AN 18-WHEELER STRUCK A LOW HANGING POWER LINE. TWO HOMES WERE BURNED AND WERE A TOTAL LOSS. SMOKE CAUSED TRAFFIC BACKUPS ALONG I-20. BURNED ACREAGE IS UNKNOWN. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Midland Regional, TX (KMAF), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 8 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 3337 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 55 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -83 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -37 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
404 WWUS84 KMAF 161951 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 251 PM CDT Fri Mar 16 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 1 PM CDT /NOON MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONSISTING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .Unseasonably warm temperatures and strong west winds will drive minimum RHs down to near or less than 15 percent on Sunday, resulting in widespread critical to extremely critical fire weather. In addition, tight pressure gradients will keep winds up Sunday night and yield poor RH recovery over much of the area, resulting in long duration near-critical conditions. The weather and drought, combined with anticipated fuel conditions, will set up a favorable scenario for problematic fires. NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 171200- /O.UPG.KMAF.FW.A.0009.180318T1700Z-180319T0600Z/ /O.NEW.KMAF.FW.W.0008.180318T1700Z-180319T1800Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 251 PM CDT Fri Mar 16 2018 /151 PM MDT Fri Mar 16 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 1 PM CDT /NOON MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONSISTING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER... * WIND...Mountains...Southwest 25 to 35 mph becoming west and increasing to 45 to 55 mph in the afternoon. Plains...Southwest 25 to 40 mph. * HUMIDITY...8 to 15 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Low visibility will be possible due to dust and smoke. Winds will make it hard to control vehicles and low flying light aircraft. Power outages will be possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Burn bans are in effect. Fires can start from the smallest of flames or sparks and are highly discouraged. Do not drive through grass or throw cigarettes from a vehicle. Have an advanced plan. Stay updated with the latest news. && $$
7 follow-up statements
823 WWUS84 KMAF 170832 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 332 AM CDT Sat Mar 17 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 1 PM CDT /NOON MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONSISTING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .Unseasonably warm temperatures and strong west winds will drive minimum RHs down to near or less than 15 percent on Sunday and Monday, resulting in widespread critical to extremely critical fire weather. In addition, tight pressure gradients will keep winds up Sunday night and yield poor RH recovery over much of the area, resulting in long duration near-critical conditions. The weather and drought, combined with anticipated fuel conditions, will set up a favorable scenario for problematic fires. NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 172000- /O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0008.180318T1700Z-180319T1800Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 332 AM CDT Sat Mar 17 2018 /232 AM MDT Sat Mar 17 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 1 PM CDT /NOON MDT/ MONDAY... * WIND...Mountains...Southwest 25 to 35 mph becoming west and increasing to 45 to 55 mph in the afternoon. Plains... Southwest 25 to 40 mph. * HUMIDITY...8 to 15 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Low visibility will be possible due to dust and smoke. Winds will make it hard to control vehicles and low flying light aircraft. Power outages will be possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Burn bans are in effect. Fires can start from the smallest of flames or sparks and are highly discouraged. Do not drive through grass or throw cigarettes from a vehicle. Have an advanced plan. Stay updated with the latest news. && $$
677 WWUS84 KMAF 172003 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 303 PM CDT Sat Mar 17 2018 ...A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER SITUATION SUNDAY... ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER INCLUDING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .A wind storm Sunday will be accompanied by above normal temperatures and very low humidity. Winds will gusting over 50 mph, even across the plains. This is an especially dangerous day and high impact fires are likely! Critical fire weather conditions are expected Monday, as well. Be prepared to take action! NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 180415- /O.EXT.KMAF.FW.W.0008.180318T1700Z-180320T0200Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 303 PM CDT Sat Mar 17 2018 /203 PM MDT Sat Mar 17 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER INCLUDING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... * WIND...Mountains...Southwest to West 35 mph to 55 mph and gusting to around 65 mph. Plains...Southwest to West 30 to 50 mph with gusts to around 55 mph. * HUMIDITY...7 to 15 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Evacuations are possible, low visibility and road closures are likely. High winds may limit effectiveness of aircraft. Power outages are possible as well. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds and very low relative humidity, combined with abundant dry vegetation, will create conditions supportive of the multiple occurrence of large, destructive, and potentially life threatening fires. The National Weather Service sees an increased risk of a regional outbreak of dangerous wind- driven wildfires Sunday. && $$
504 WWUS84 KMAF 180146 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 846 PM CDT Sat Mar 17 2018 ...A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER SITUATION SUNDAY... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER INCLUDING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .A wind storm Sunday will be accompanied by above normal temperatures and very low humidity. Winds will gusting over 50 mph, even across the plains. This is an especially dangerous day and high impact fires are likely! Critical fire weather conditions are expected Monday, as well. Be prepared to take action! NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 181045- /O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0008.180318T1700Z-180320T0200Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 846 PM CDT Sat Mar 17 2018 /746 PM MDT Sat Mar 17 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ SUNDAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... * WIND...Mountains...Southwest to West 35 mph to 55 mph and gusting to around 65 mph. Plains...Southwest to West 30 to 50 mph with gusts to around 55 mph. * HUMIDITY...7 to 15 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Evacuations are possible, low visibility and road closures are likely. High winds may limit effectiveness of aircraft. Power outages are possible as well. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds and very low relative humidity, combined with abundant dry vegetation, will create conditions supportive of the multiple occurrence of large, destructive, and potentially life threatening fires. The National Weather Service sees an increased risk of a regional outbreak of dangerous wind- driven wildfires Sunday. && $$
400 WWUS84 KMAF 180846 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 346 AM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018 ...A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER SITUATION TODAY... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER INCLUDING OF 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .Extremely critical fire weather conditions today as a wind storm will be accompanied by above normal temperatures and very low humidity. Winds gusting over 50 mph possible, even across the plains. This is an especially dangerous day and high impact fires are likely! Critical fire weather conditions are expected Monday, as well. Be prepared to take action! NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 182215- /O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0008.180318T1700Z-180320T0200Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 346 AM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018 /246 AM MDT Sun Mar 18 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... * WIND...Mountains...Southwest to West 35 mph to 55 mph and gusting to around 70 mph. Plains...Southwest to West 30 to 50 mph with gusts to around 55 mph. * HUMIDITY...7 to 15 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Evacuations are possible, low visibility and road closures are likely. High winds may limit effectiveness of aircraft. Power outages are possible as well. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds and very low relative humidity, combined with abundant dry vegetation, will create conditions supportive of the multiple occurrence of large, destructive, and potentially life threatening fires. The National Weather Service sees an increased risk of a regional outbreak of dangerous wind- driven wildfires Sunday. && $$
231 WWUS84 KMAF 182029 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 329 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018 ...A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER SITUATION REMAINS THROUGH MONDAY... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY DUE TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING 20 FT WINDS OF 20 TO 40 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .Extremely critical fire weather conditions will remain through Monday as a wind storm will be accompanied by above normal temperatures and very low humidity. Winds gusting over 50 mph possible, even across the plains. This is an especially dangerous day and high impact fires are likely! Critical fire weather conditions are expected Monday, as well. Be prepared to take action! NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 191100- /O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 329 PM CDT Sun Mar 18 2018 /229 PM MDT Sun Mar 18 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ MONDAY FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... * WIND...Mountains...Southwest to West 35 mph to 55 mph and gusting to around 70 mph. Plains...Southwest to West 30 to 50 mph with gusts to around 55 mph. * HUMIDITY...7 to 15 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Evacuations are possible, low visibility and road closures are likely. High winds may limit effectiveness of aircraft. Power outages are possible as well. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds and very low relative humidity, combined with abundant dry vegetation, will create conditions supportive of the multiple occurrence of large, destructive, and potentially life threatening fires. The National Weather Service sees an increased risk of a regional outbreak of dangerous wind- driven wildfires Sunday. && $$
166 WWUS84 KMAF 190744 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 244 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018 ...A DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER SITUATION CONTINUES TODAY... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ TODAY DUE TO CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR GREATER... RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS... AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .Critical fire weather conditions will continue today as a gusty Northwest wind behind a Pacific front combines with very dry conditions. This will produce conditions favorable for rapid fire growth and spread across the region. Wind speeds will decrease during the late afternoon. NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 192200- /O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 244 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018 /144 AM MDT Mon Mar 19 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... * WIND...15 TO 25 MPH... GUSTS TO 35 MPH. * HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent. * FUEL...Dry to critically dry. * IMPACTS...Evacuations are possible, low visibility and road closures are likely. High winds may limit effectiveness of aircraft. Power outages are possible as well. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds and very low relative humidity, combined with abundant dry vegetation, will create conditions supportive of the multiple occurrence of large, destructive, and potentially life threatening fires. The National Weather Service sees an increased risk of a regional outbreak of dangerous wind- driven wildfires Sunday. && $$
362 WWUS84 KMAF 200205 RFWMAF URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 905 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... .Conditions are improving areawide this evening as winds decrease and RHs begin to recover. Critical fire weather conditions are no longer anticipated, thus the Red Flag Warning has been allowed to expire as scheduled. NMZ114-115-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075-079>082-258- 200315- /O.EXP.KMAF.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/ Guadalupe Mountains-Southeast Plains-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry- Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland- Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau-Big Bend Area-Terrell- 905 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018 /805 PM MDT Mon Mar 19 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR ALL OF WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO... Winds have decreased and RHs have started to recover above critical levels this evening, thus the Red Flag Warning has been allowed to expire. $$
The office that day
Everything else NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 3:35 PM CDT | High Wind Watch | MAF | Loving | 23 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Texas, 2018Red Flag Warnings in New Mexico, 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.