Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2018
Red Flag Warning 5, NWS Missoula, MT
NWS Missoula, MT issued this red flag warning at Aug 9, 2018, 2:23 PM MDT for 16 counties in Montana; 5 counties in Idaho. It took effect at Aug 10, 2018, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 57 hr. 11 reports 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
- Aug 9, 2018, 2:23 PM MDT (20:23 UTC)
- In effect from
- Aug 10, 2018, 12:00 PM MDT
- Expired
- Aug 12, 2018, 9:00 PM MDT
- In force
- 57 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Missoula, MT
All 21 counties
Clearwater County, ID, Idaho County, ID, Latah County, ID, Lewis County, ID, Nez Perce County, ID, Beaverhead County, MT, Deer Lodge County, MT, Flathead County, MT, Glacier County, MT, Granite County, MT, Jefferson County, MT, Lake County, MT, Lewis and Clark County, MT, Lincoln County, MT, Madison County, MT, Mineral County, MT, Missoula County, MT, Powell County, MT, Ravalli County, MT, Sanders County, MT, Silver Bow County, MT
The radar
The Missoula radar (KMSX), 34 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 5:19 AM MDT | TSTM WND GST 56 | 8 Nnw Winston, MT | |
| Aug 11, 4:45 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 50 | 3 Nw Eureka, MT | |
| Aug 11, 5:10 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 53 | 4 S Dillon, MT | VISIBILITY 300 FEET AT TIMES. |
| Aug 11, 5:14 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 48 | Dillon Airport, MT | ASOS STATION DLN, DILLON AIRPORT. |
| Aug 11, 5:15 PM MDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ssw Dillon, MT | POST-EVENT REPORT. LARGE HEALTHY CONIFER TREE DOWNED AT THE ROOTS IN HIGH WINDS. TRAINED SPOTTER SUBMITTED PHOTO TO SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME OF EVENT ESTIMATED. |
| Aug 11, 5:19 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 56 | 8 Nnw Winston, MT | CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 8 NNW WINSTON. |
| Aug 11, 5:30 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 55 | 5 E Wisdom, MT | STEELE CREEK RAWS. TIME OF EVENT ESTIMATED. |
| Aug 11, 5:47 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 49 | Brenner Raws, MT | MESONET STATION BRRM8, BRENNER RAWS. |
| Aug 11, 5:54 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 55 | Steele Creek Raws, MT | MESONET STATION SLCM8, STEELE CREEK RAWS. |
| Aug 11, 6:05 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 45 | Harkness Raws, MT | MESONET STATION HRKM8, HARKNESS RAWS. |
| Aug 11, 6:28 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 45 | Sieben Flats Mdt, MT | MESONET STATION MTSBN, SIEBEN FLATS MDT. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 12:00Z, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 200 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
- 3414 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 110 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
003 WWUS85 KMSO 092023 RFWMSO URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 223 PM MDT Thu Aug 9 2018 IDZ102-103-MTZ104-106-112030- /O.UPG.KMSO.FW.A.0004.180810T1800Z-180812T0300Z/ /O.NEW.KMSO.FW.W.0005.180810T1800Z-180812T0300Z/ Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-Kootenai-West Lolo- 223 PM MDT Thu Aug 9 2018 /123 PM PDT Thu Aug 9 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /11 AM PDT/ FRIDAY TO 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ SATURDAY... The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected area: Fire Zone 102 (Palouse/Hells Canyon). Fire Zone 103 (Clearwater/Nez Perce). Fire Zone 104 (Kootenai). Fire Zone 106 (West Lolo). * Impacts: Near record high temperatures are expected on Friday with a Haines Index of 6. This hot, dry, and unstable period will be followed by limited overnight humidity recoveries on Friday night and then a dry cold front on Saturday. This front will result in an increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue into Saturday afternoon. * Winds: Sustained west winds 5 to 10 mph with gust to 20 mph on Friday afternoon and evening. Increasing west 10 to 15 mph with gust to 30 mph on Saturday. * Minimum humidities: 7 to 16 percent on Friday. 15 to 25 percent on Saturday. * Haines: 6 on Friday. && $$ MTZ105-107>111-112030- /O.UPG.KMSO.FW.A.0004.180810T1800Z-180812T0600Z/ /O.NEW.KMSO.FW.W.0005.180810T1800Z-180812T0600Z/ Flathead/Glacier Park-Salish and Kootenai Reservation-East Lolo- Bitterroot-Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead- 223 PM MDT Thu Aug 9 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY NIGHT... The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected area: Fire Zone 105 (Flathead/Glacier Park). Fire Zone 107 (Salish and Kootenai Reservation). Fire Zone 108 (East Lolo). Fire Zone 109 (Bitterroot). Fire Zone 110 (Deerlodge/West Beaverhead). Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead). * Impacts: Near record high temperatures are expected on Friday with a Haines Index of 6. This hot, dry, and unstable period will be followed by limited overnight humidity recoveries on Friday night and then a dry cold front on Saturday. This front will result in a significant increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue on Saturday afternoon and evening. Also, an isolated thunderstorm will be possible on Saturday afternoon across northwest Montana and down along the Continental Divide. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph on Friday afternoon and evening especially towards higher elevations. Increasing west 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph on Saturday with the highest speeds in the afternoon and evening. * Minimum humidities: 8 to 18 percent on Friday. 10 to 20 percent on Saturday. * Haines: 6 on Friday. && $$
6 follow-up statements
989 WWUS85 KMSO 101111 RFWMSO URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 511 AM MDT Fri Aug 10 2018 IDZ102-103-MTZ104-106-111115- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.180810T1800Z-180812T0300Z/ Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-Kootenai-West Lolo- 511 AM MDT Fri Aug 10 2018 /411 AM PDT Fri Aug 10 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /11 AM PDT/ TODAY TO 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ SATURDAY... * Affected area: Fire Zone 102 (Palouse/Hells Canyon). Fire Zone 103 (Clearwater/Nez Perce). Fire Zone 104 (Kootenai). Fire Zone 106 (West Lolo). * Impacts: Near record high temperatures are expected today with a Haines Index of 6. This hot, dry, and unstable period will be followed by limited overnight humidity recoveries tonight and then a dry cold front on Saturday. This front will result in an increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue into Saturday afternoon. * Winds: Sustained west winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts on the ridges to 20 mph on this afternoon and evening. Increasing west 10 to 15 mph with gust to 30 mph on Saturday. * Minimum humidities: 7 to 16 percent today. 15 to 25 percent on Saturday. * Haines: 6 today. && $$ MTZ105-107>111-111115- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.180810T1800Z-180812T0600Z/ Flathead/Glacier Park-Salish and Kootenai Reservation-East Lolo- Bitterroot-Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead- 511 AM MDT Fri Aug 10 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY NIGHT... * Affected area: Fire Zone 105 (Flathead/Glacier Park). Fire Zone 107 (Salish and Kootenai Reservation). Fire Zone 108 (East Lolo). Fire Zone 109 (Bitterroot). Fire Zone 110 (Deerlodge/West Beaverhead). Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead). * Impacts: Near record high temperatures are expected today with a Haines Index of 6. This hot, dry, and unstable period will be followed by limited overnight humidity recoveries on tonight then a dry cold front on Saturday. This front will result in a significant increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue on Saturday afternoon and evening. Also, an isolated thunderstorm will be possible on Saturday afternoon across northwest Montana and down along the Continental Divide. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph on this afternoon and evening especially towards higher elevations. Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph on Saturday with the highest speeds in the afternoon and evening. * Minimum humidities: 8 to 18 percent on Friday. 10 to 20 percent on Saturday. * Haines: 6 today. && $$
460 WWUS85 KMSO 102040 RFWMSO URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 240 PM MDT Fri Aug 10 2018 IDZ102-103-MTZ104-106-120300- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0300Z/ Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-Kootenai-West Lolo- 240 PM MDT Fri Aug 10 2018 /140 PM PDT Fri Aug 10 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ SATURDAY... * Affected area: Fire Zone 102 (Palouse/Hells Canyon). Fire Zone 103 (Clearwater/Nez Perce). Fire Zone 104 (Kootenai). Fire Zone 106 (West Lolo). * Impacts: Near record high temperatures are expected today with a Haines Index of 6. This hot, dry, and unstable period will be followed by limited overnight humidity recoveries tonight and then a dry cold front on Saturday. This front will result in an increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue into Saturday afternoon. * Winds: Sustained west winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts on the ridges to 20 mph on this afternoon and evening. Increasing west 10 to 15 mph with gust to 30 mph on Saturday. * Minimum humidities: 7 to 16 percent today. 15 to 25 percent on Saturday. * Haines: 6 today. && $$ MTZ105-107>111-120300- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0600Z/ Flathead/Glacier Park-Salish and Kootenai Reservation-East Lolo- Bitterroot-Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead- 240 PM MDT Fri Aug 10 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY NIGHT... ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE AGAIN SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING DUE TO WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... * Affected area: Fire Zone 105 (Flathead/Glacier Park). Fire Zone 107 (Salish and Kootenai Reservation). Fire Zone 108 (East Lolo). Fire Zone 109 (Bitterroot). Fire Zone 110 (Deerlodge/West Beaverhead). Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead). * Impacts: Near record high temperatures are expected today with a Haines Index of 6. This hot, dry, and unstable period will be followed by limited overnight humidity recoveries on tonight then a dry cold front on Saturday. This front will result in a significant increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue on Saturday afternoon and evening. Also, an isolated thunderstorm will be possible on Saturday afternoon across northwest Montana and down along the Continental Divide. In addition, breezy westerly winds and low afternoon humidity will lead to the potential of critical fire weather conditions once again Sunday afternoon and evening in Southwest Montana. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph on this afternoon and evening especially towards higher elevations. Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph on Saturday with the highest speeds in the afternoon and evening. * Minimum humidities: 8 to 18 percent today. 10 to 20 percent on Saturday. * Haines: 6 today. && $$
508
WWUS85 KMSO 111059
RFWMSO
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
459 AM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018
IDZ102-103-MTZ104-106-120300-
/O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0300Z/
Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-Kootenai-West Lolo-
459 AM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 /359 AM PDT Sat Aug 11 2018/
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/
THIS EVENING...
* Affected area: Fire Zone 102 (Palouse/Hells Canyon). Fire Zone
103 (Clearwater/Nez Perce). Fire Zone 104 (Kootenai). Fire
Zone 106 (West Lolo).
* Impacts: A dry cold front will move through the region today.
This front will result in an increase in westerly winds while
low relative humidity values continue this afternoon.
* Winds: West winds 10 to 15 mph with gust to 30 mph today.
* Minimum humidities: 15 to 20 percent today.
* Haines: 6 in the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
5 in the Kootenai, West Lolo and
Palouse/Hells Canyon
&&
$$
MTZ105-107>111-120600-
/O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0600Z/
Flathead/Glacier Park-Salish and Kootenai Reservation-East Lolo-
Bitterroot-Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead-
459 AM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT
TONIGHT...
* Affected area: Fire Zone 105 (Flathead/Glacier Park). Fire
Zone 107 (Salish and Kootenai Reservation). Fire Zone 108
(East Lolo). Fire Zone 109 (Bitterroot). Fire Zone 110
(Deerlodge/West Beaverhead). Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead).
* Impacts: A dry cold front will move through the region today.
This front will result in a significant increase in westerly
winds with low relative humidity values this afternoon and
evening. Also, scattered thunderstorms are possible this
afternoon, especially in the Beaverhead/Deerlodge and the East
Lolo NF. In addition, breezy westerly winds and low afternoon
humidity will lead to the potential of critical fire weather
conditions once again Sunday afternoon and evening in Southwest
Montana.
* Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph on
this afternoon and evening especially towards higher elevations.
Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph on today
with the highest speeds in the afternoon and evening.
* Minimum humidities: 10 to 20 percent today.
* Haines: 6 East Lolo-Bitterroot-Beaverhead/Deerlodge.
5 Flathead/Glacier Park,
Salish and Kootenai Reservation
&&
$$847 WWUS85 KMSO 112009 RFWMSO URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 209 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 MTZ110-111-122015- /O.EXT.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180813T0300Z/ Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead- 209 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT SUNDAY... * Affected area: Fire Zone 110 (Deerlodge/West Beaverhead). Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead). * Impacts: Hot and dry conditions continue today with isolated thunderstorms. Any thunderstorms may produce gusty and erratic outflow winds. Windy and dry conditions will persist through Sunday and the Red Flag Warning has been extended until Sunday evening. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph this afternoon and evening especially over higher elevations. Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph tonight and continuing Sunday. * Minimum humidities: 10 to 20 percent. * Haines: 6 tonight and Sunday. && $$ IDZ102-103-MTZ104-106-120300- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0300Z/ Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-Kootenai-West Lolo- 209 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 /109 PM PDT Sat Aug 11 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ THIS EVENING... * Affected area: Fire Zone 102 (Palouse/Hells Canyon). Fire Zone 103 (Clearwater/Nez Perce). Fire Zone 104 (Kootenai). Fire Zone 106 (West Lolo). * Impacts: A dry cold front is moving through the region this afternoon. This front will result in an increase in westerly winds while low relative humidity values continue this afternoon and evening. * Winds: West winds 10 to 15 mph with gust to 30 mph, decreasing after sunset. * Minimum humidities: 15 to 20 percent today. * Haines: 5. && $$ MTZ105-107>109-120600- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0600Z/ Flathead/Glacier Park-Salish and Kootenai Reservation-East Lolo- Bitterroot- 209 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT... * Affected area: Fire Zone 105 (Flathead/Glacier Park). Fire Zone 107 (Salish and Kootenai Reservation). Fire Zone 108 (East Lolo). Fire Zone 109 (Bitterroot). * Impacts: A dry cold front will move through the region this afternoon. This front will result in a significant increase in westerly winds with low relative humidity values this afternoon and evening. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph on this afternoon and evening especially over higher elevations. Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph on today with the highest speeds in the afternoon and evening. * Minimum humidities: 10 to 20 percent today. * Haines: 5. && $$
477 WWUS85 KMSO 120305 RFWMSO URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 905 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 IDZ102-103-MTZ104-106-120415- /O.EXP.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0300Z/ Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-Kootenai-West Lolo- 905 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 /805 PM PDT Sat Aug 11 2018/ ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED... Temperatures have dropped with a rise in humidity readings so the threat has subsided. && $$ MTZ105-107>109-120600- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180812T0600Z/ Flathead/Glacier Park-Salish and Kootenai Reservation-East Lolo- Bitterroot- 905 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT... * Affected area: Fire Zone 105 (Flathead/Glacier Park). Fire Zone 107 (Salish and Kootenai Reservation). Fire Zone 108 (East Lolo). Fire Zone 109 (Bitterroot). * Impacts: A dry cold front will continue to move through the region this evening. This front will result in a significant increase in westerly winds with low relative humidity values this evening. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph on this afternoon and evening especially over higher elevations. Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph on today with the highest speeds in the afternoon and evening. * Minimum humidities: 10 to 20 percent today. * Haines: 5. && $$ MTZ110-111-130300- /O.CON.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180813T0300Z/ Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead- 905 PM MDT Sat Aug 11 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT SUNDAY... * Affected area: Fire Zone 110 (Deerlodge/West Beaverhead). Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead). * Impacts: Hot and dry conditions continue today with isolated thunderstorms. Any thunderstorms may produce gusty and erratic outflow winds. Windy and dry conditions will persist through Sunday and the Red Flag Warning has been extended until Sunday evening. * Winds: Sustained winds 5 to 10 mph with local gusts to 20 mph this afternoon and evening especially over higher elevations. Increasing west wind 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph tonight and continuing Sunday. * Minimum humidities: 10 to 20 percent. * Haines: 6 tonight and Sunday. && $$
661 WWUS85 KMSO 130301 RFWMSO URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 901 PM MDT Sun Aug 12 2018 MTZ110-111-130415- /O.EXP.KMSO.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-180813T0300Z/ Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead- 901 PM MDT Sun Aug 12 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED... Temperatures have dropped with a rise in humidity readings so the threat has subsided. && $$
The office that day
Everything else NWS Missoula, MT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 9, 3:32 AM MDT | Excessive Heat Warning | MSO | Clearwater, Idaho | 41 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Montana, 2018Red Flag Warnings in Idaho, 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.