Alert archive / North Dakota / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Bismarck, ND

March 21, 202121 counties in North Dakota

NWS Bismarck, ND issued this red flag warning at Mar 21, 2021, 3:09 AM MDT for 21 counties in North Dakota. It took effect at Mar 21, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 7 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 21, 2021, 3:09 AM MDT (09:09 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 21, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Mar 21, 2021, 7:00 PM MDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Bismarck, ND
All 21 counties

Adams County, ND, Bottineau County, ND, Burke County, ND, Burleigh County, ND, Divide County, ND, Dunn County, ND, Emmons County, ND, Grant County, ND, Hettinger County, ND, McHenry County, ND, McKenzie County, ND, McLean County, ND, Mercer County, ND, Morton County, ND, Mountrail County, ND, Oliver County, ND, Renville County, ND, Sioux County, ND, Stark County, ND, Ward County, ND, Williams County, ND

The radar

The Bismarck radar (KBIS), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:10 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

Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 00:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 119 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, Bismarck Municip, ND at 00:00Z on 2021-03-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Bismarck Municip, ND at 00:00Z on 2021-03-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 21 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2361 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
21 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
209 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

714 
WWUS83 KBIS 210909
RFWBIS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
409 AM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA
THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across northwest and 
north central North Dakota this afternoon through early evening. 
Northwest winds will reach sustained speeds around 25 mph during 
this afternoon as a very dry air mass begins to move into 
northwest North Dakota. The drier air will reach north central 
parts of the state by late afternoon. Relative humidity is 
forecast to rapidly fall to around 20 percent by mid afternoon in 
the northwest, and late afternoon in the north central.

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>019-021-212115-
/O.NEW.KBIS.FW.W.0003.210321T1800Z-210322T0100Z/
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-McLean-
409 AM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /309 AM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM CDT /NOON MDT/ THIS
AFTERNOON TO 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 1 PM CDT /noon MDT/ this afternoon to 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/
this evening.

* WINDS...Northwest around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Northwest and north central North Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$

Hollan
5 follow-up statements
650 
WWUS83 KBIS 211432
RFWBIS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
932 AM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA
THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across northwest
and north central North Dakota this afternoon through early
evening. Northwest winds will reach sustained speeds around
25 mph during this afternoon as a very dry air mass begins to
move into northwest North Dakota. The drier air will reach north
central parts of the state by late afternoon. Relative humidity
is forecast to rapidly fall to around 20 percent by mid afternoon
in the northwest, and late afternoon in the north central.

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>019-021-220100-
/O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0003.210321T1800Z-210322T0100Z/
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-McLean-
932 AM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /832 AM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM CDT /NOON MDT/
THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
DAKOTA...

* WINDS...Northwest around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Northwest and north central North Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$

ZH
770 
WWUS83 KBIS 211758
RFWBIS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
1258 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA
THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across northwest
and north central North Dakota this afternoon through early
evening. Northwest winds will reach sustained speeds around
25 mph during this afternoon as a very dry air mass begins to
move into northwest North Dakota. The drier air will reach north
central parts of the state by late afternoon. Relative humidity
is forecast to rapidly fall to around 20 percent by mid afternoon
in the northwest, and late afternoon in the north central.

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>019-021-220100-
/O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0003.210321T1800Z-210322T0100Z/
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-McLean-
1258 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /1158 AM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHWEST AND
NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

* WINDS...Northwest around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Northwest and north central North Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$

ZH
270 
WWUS83 KBIS 211924
RFWBIS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
224 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR NORTHWEST AND MUCH OF CENTRAL NORTH 
DAKOTA THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across northwest
and much of central North Dakota this afternoon through early 
evening. Northwest winds will reach sustained speeds up to 30 mph
during this afternoon as a very dry air mass begins to move into 
northwest North Dakota. Relative humidity is forecast will dip as
low as 18 percent.

NDZ020-033-034-041-042-220100-
/O.EXA.KBIS.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210322T0100Z/
Oliver-Stark-Morton-Hettinger-Grant-
224 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /124 PM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF
SOUTHWESTERN AND SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
until 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ this evening.

* WINDS...Northwest around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of southwestern and south central North
  Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>019-021-220100-
/O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210322T0100Z/
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-McLean-
224 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /124 PM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHWEST AND
NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

* WINDS...Northwest around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Northwest and north central North Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$

ZH
170 
WWUS83 KBIS 212145
RFWBIS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
445 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR NORTHWEST...CENTRAL...AND NOW SOUTH
CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING...

.Critical fire weather conditions are occurring across northwest,
central, and south central North Dakota this afternoon and will
continue into the early evening hours. Northwest winds of 20 to 25
mph with gusts 30 to 35 mph will be found this afternoon and
evening as a very dry air mass moves across North Dakota. 
Relative humidity is forecast will dip as low as 15 to 20 
percent.

NDZ035-044>046-220100-
/O.EXA.KBIS.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210322T0100Z/
Burleigh-Adams-Sioux-Emmons-
445 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /345 PM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH
DAKOTA...

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
until 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ this evening.

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 17 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Red Flag Warning has now been expanded to
  include south central North Dakota, while remaining across
  northwestern and central North Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>021-033-034-041-042-220100-
/O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210322T0100Z/
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-Oliver-McLean-Stark-Morton-Hettinger-Grant-
445 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /345 PM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF
NORTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of northwestern and central North 
  Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Burn bans may be in effect. Contact local authorities for
details.

&&

$$
610 
WWUS83 KBIS 220051
RFWBIS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
751 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>021-033>035-041-042-044>046-220200-
/O.EXP.KBIS.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210322T0100Z/
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-Oliver-McLean-Stark-Morton-Burleigh-
Hettinger-Grant-Adams-Sioux-Emmons-
751 PM CDT Sun Mar 21 2021 /651 PM MDT Sun Mar 21 2021/

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF
NORTHWESTERN CENTRAL AND SOUTHWESTERN NORTH DAKOTA...

Although breezy winds and lower relative humidity may remain
through the evening, critical fire danger is no longer expected.
Given recent dry conditions, all should still be mindful of any
errant sparks that could cause a wildfire, and follow any local 
or state burn bans.

$$

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in North Dakota, 2021Every red flag warning in 2021

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.