Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 14, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

September 15, 20215 counties in Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this red flag warning at Sep 15, 2021, 2:31 PM MDT for 5 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Sep 16, 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
Sep 15, 2021, 2:31 PM MDT (20:31 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 16, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Sep 16, 2021, 7:00 PM MDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

Counties Boulder County, CO, Grand County, CO, Jackson County, CO, Larimer County, CO, Summit County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:31 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

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 229 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, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2021-09-15Temperature 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 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2021-09-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 77 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
2773 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
77 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
128 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

319 
WWUS85 KBOU 152031
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
231 PM MDT Wed Sep 15 2021

...Critical Fire Danger Thursday and Friday Afternoons...

.Warm temperatures, low daytime humidity, and gusty winds will
result in critical fire weather conditions during the afternoon
and early evening hours Thursday and Friday. Mixing heights will
also increase above 10,000 ft, increasing the potential for deep
vertical plume growth in the event of any new starts.

COZ211-213-217-218-161200-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0014.210916T1800Z-210917T0100Z/
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
231 PM MDT Wed Sep 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 7 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF JACKSON AND GRAND
COUNTIES... 
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
MOUNTAINS AND HIGH VALLEYS...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from noon to 7 PM MDT Thursday. A Fire Weather Watch has also
been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative
humidity is in effect from Friday afternoon through Friday
evening.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 211, 213, 217 and 218.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late
  afternoon.

* Winds...West/southwest 10 to 20 mph, with gusts to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidity...10 to 18%.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. Avoid
  any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, and
  abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

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

&&

$$

COZ212-214-161200-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-Central and Southeast Park County-
231 PM MDT Wed Sep 15 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE MOUNTAINS
AND HIGH VALLEYS...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather
Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from
Friday afternoon through Friday evening.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 212 and 214.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late
  afternoon.

* Winds...West 10 to 20 mph, with gusts to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidity...Between 10 and 15%.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. Avoid
  any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, and
  abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
637 
WWUS85 KBOU 161021
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
421 AM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...Critical Fire Danger Today and Friday Afternoons...

.Warm temperatures, low daytime humidity, and gusty winds will
result in critical fire weather conditions during the afternoon
and early evening hours today and Friday. Mixing heights will 
also increase above 10,000 ft, increasing the potential for deep 
vertical plume growth in the event of any new starts.

COZ211-213-217-218-170100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0014.210916T1800Z-210917T0100Z/
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
421 AM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF
JACKSON AND GRAND COUNTIES...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
MOUNTAINS AND HIGH VALLEYS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 211, 213, 217 and 218.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late 
  afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 10 to 15 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new 
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. 
  Avoid any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, 
  and abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

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

&&

$$

COZ212-214-170100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-Central and Southeast Park County-
421 AM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE
MOUNTAINS AND HIGH VALLEYS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 212 and 214.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late 
  afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 10 to 15 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new 
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. 
  Avoid any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, 
  and abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

&&

$$
099 
WWUS85 KBOU 161809
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1209 PM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...Critical Fire Danger Today and Friday Afternoon...

.Warm temperatures, low daytime humidity, and gusty winds will
result in critical fire weather conditions during the afternoon
and early evening hours today and Friday. Mixing heights will
also increase above 10,000 ft, increasing the potential for deep
vertical plume growth in the event of any new starts.

COZ211-213-217-218-170215-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-210917T0100Z/
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
1209 PM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF JACKSON AND GRAND
COUNTIES...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
MOUNTAINS AND HIGH VALLEYS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 211, 213, 217 and 218.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late 
  afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 10 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new 
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. 
  Avoid any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, 
  and abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

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

&&

$$

COZ212-214-170215-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-Central and Southeast Park County-
1209 PM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE
MOUNTAINS AND HIGH VALLEYS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 212 and 214.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late 
  afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 10 to 15 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new 
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. 
  Avoid any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, 
  and abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

&&

$$
135 
WWUS85 KBOU 162101
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
301 PM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...Critical Fire Danger Today and Friday Afternoon...

.Warm temperatures, low daytime humidity, and gusty winds will
result in critical fire weather conditions during the afternoon
and early evening hours today and Friday. Mixing heights will
also increase above 10,000 ft, increasing the potential for deep
vertical plume growth in the event of any new starts.

COZ212-214-162215-
/O.CAN.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-Central and Southeast Park County-
301 PM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS AND SOUTH PARK...

The National Weather Service in Denver has cancelled the Fire
Weather Watch.

There will be elevated fire danger across the central mountains
and South Park but the winds will not be high enough to warrant a
Red Flag Warning.

$$

COZ211-213-217-218-170515-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-210917T0100Z/
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0012.210917T1800Z-210918T0100Z/
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
301 PM MDT Thu Sep 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF JACKSON AND GRAND
COUNTIES...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
MUCH OF JACKSON AND GRAND COUNTIES...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 211, 213, 217 and 218.

* Timing...Noon to 7 PM. Most critical conditions mid to late 
  afternoon.

* Winds...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 10 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to rapid spread of new 
  and existing fires. Probability of ignition will increase. 
  Avoid any burning or outdoor activities that may cause sparks, 
  and abide by established fire restrictions.

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.

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

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 15, 6:37 AM MDTDense Fog AdvisoryBOUElbert, Lincoln2 hr
Sep 15, 2:31 PM MDTFire Weather WatchBOUBoulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Larimer and 2 more37 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 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.