Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 25, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

December 14, 202116 counties in Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this red flag warning at Dec 14, 2021, 12:17 PM MST for 16 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Dec 15, 2021, 8:00 AM MST. It was in force for 9 hr. 60 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
Dec 14, 2021, 12:17 PM MST (19:17 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 15, 2021, 8:00 AM MST
Expired
Dec 15, 2021, 5:00 PM MST
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

Counties Adams County, CO, Arapahoe County, CO, Boulder County, CO, Broomfield County, CO, Clear Creek County, CO, Denver County, CO, Douglas County, CO, Elbert County, CO, Gilpin County, CO, Jefferson County, CO, Larimer County, CO, Lincoln County, CO, Morgan County, CO, Park County, CO, Washington County, CO, Weld County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 15 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:21 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Dec 15, 8:01 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 554 Sw Hygiene, COMESONET STATION DW1011 LONGMONT.
Dec 15, 8:04 AM MSTTSTM WND DMG1 Se Brighton, COSMALL TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 8:04 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND DMG1 Se Brighton, COSMALL TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 8:15 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 553 Se Tolland, COAWOS STATION KC99 DAKOTA HILL.
Dec 15, 8:16 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 602 Se Denver Intl Airpor, COASOS STATION KDEN DENVER.
Dec 15, 8:19 AM MSTTSTM WND DMG3 Wsw Aurora, CO1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 8:19 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 Wsw Aurora, CO1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 8:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 593 Ese Buckeye, COMESONET STATION BEYC2 BUCKEYE.
Dec 15, 8:47 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 601 E Limon, COASOS STATION KLIC LIMON.
Dec 15, 9:14 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 673 Sw Rocky Flats, COMESONET STATION CO109 ROCKY FLATS HWY 93 AND 72.
Dec 15, 9:27 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 641 Ese Akron, COMESONET STATION EW7755 AKRON.
Dec 15, 9:29 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 601 N Glen Haven, COMESONET STATION EW4490 GLEN HAVEN.
Dec 15, 9:30 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 592 Nne Rocky Flats, COMESONET STATION RFN 1.7 NE ROCKY FLATS (CDPHE).
Dec 15, 9:31 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 713 Nne White Ranch Open, COMESONET STATION UP709 2.8 NE WHITE RANCH OPEN SPACE (UPR).
Dec 15, 9:34 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 6114 S Hyde, CO
Dec 15, 9:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 693 Ssw Boulder, CO
Dec 15, 9:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 714 Se Pinecliffe, COMESONET STATION EW8336 COAL CREEK CANYON.
Dec 15, 9:38 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 643 Ese Pinecliffe, COMESONET STATION FW8937 WONDERVU.
Dec 15, 9:42 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 553 W Lyons, COMESONET STATION BCFC2 LYONS 3W.
Dec 15, 9:48 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 733 Ese Pinecliffe, COMESONET STATION FW8937 WONDERVU.
Dec 15, 9:51 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 764 Ene Nederland, CO
Dec 15, 9:55 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 55Wilkerson Pass, COMESONET STATION CO027 024W254 WILKERSON PASS.
Dec 15, 10:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 913 Ssw Boulder, COCORRECTS PREVIOUS NON-TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 3 SSW BOULDER.
Dec 15, 10:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 913 Ssw Boulder, CO
Dec 15, 10:15 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 55Aspen Springs, COMESONET STATION CW5066 ASPEN SPRINGS.
Dec 15, 10:16 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 593 Wnw Mishawaka, COMESONET STATION EW0853 LIVERMORE.
Dec 15, 10:16 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 682 Sse Pleasant View, COMESONET STATION FW8940 LAKEWOOD.
Dec 15, 10:23 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 732 S Cheesman Reservoir, COMESONET STATION CHRC2 CHEESMAN.
Dec 15, 10:24 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 652 Wnw Aspen Springs, COMESONET STATION PKLC2 PICKLE GULCH.
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 59Downieville, COMESONET STATION CO141 DOWNIEVILLE.
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 671 Wsw Chatfield Reservo, COMESONET STATION CO007 470W014 WADSWORTH.
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 67Floyd Hill, COMESONET STATION CO071 I-70 FLOYD HILL.
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 802 Nnw Genesee, COMESONET STATION CO065 GENESEE.
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 823 Sw Rocky Flats, COMESONET STATION CO109 ROCKY FLATS HWY 93 AND 72.
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 953 Nne White Ranch Open, COMESONET STATION UP709 2.8 NE WHITE RANCH OPEN SPACE (UPR).
Dec 15, 10:25 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 953 Nne White Ranch Open, CO
Dec 15, 10:28 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 853 Ssw Boulder, CO
Dec 15, 10:30 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 563 Nnw Longmont, COMESONET STATION EW2670 LONGMONT.
Dec 15, 10:30 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 794 Se Pinecliffe, COMESONET STATION EW8336 COAL CREEK CANYON.
Dec 15, 10:35 AM MSTTSTM WND DMG2 Wsw Lakewood, CO1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 10:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 713 Ese Buckeye, COMESONET STATION BEYC2 BUCKEYE.
Dec 15, 10:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 713 Se Tolland, COAWOS STATION KC99 DAKOTA HILL.
Dec 15, 10:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 772 S Eldorado Springs, CO
Dec 15, 10:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 872 Nw Rocky Flats, CONATIONAL WIND TECHNOLOGY CENTER.
Dec 15, 10:35 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND DMG2 Wsw Lakewood, CO1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 10:36 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 661 Ne Aspen Springs, COMESONET STATION DW4381 BLACK HAWK.
Dec 15, 10:37 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 601 Ene Estes Park, CO
Dec 15, 10:41 AM MSTTSTM WND DMG3 E Lakewood, COREPORT FROM MPING: 1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 10:41 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 E Lakewood, COREPORT FROM MPING: 1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN.
Dec 15, 10:45 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 591 Ne Ken Caryl, COMESONET STATION FW5793 LITTLETON.
Dec 15, 10:45 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 693 Ene Nederland, COMESONET STATION FW1761 NEDERLAND.
Dec 15, 10:45 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 752 Nnw Marshall, COMESONET STATION BLD01 BOULDER SOUTH WEST.
Dec 15, 10:45 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 794 Ene Nederland, CO
Dec 15, 10:45 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 842 Sw Broomfield, COAWOS STATION KBJC BROOMFIELD ROCKY MTN METRO AIRPORT.
Dec 15, 10:45 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND DMGSuperior, COLIGHT POLE DAMAGED.
Dec 15, 10:46 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5611 Wnw Westplains, COAWOS STATION K1LW STONEHAM 22 N.
Dec 15, 10:46 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 593 Ne Englewood, COMESONET STATION CO145 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
Dec 15, 10:46 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 602 Ssw Boulder, COMESONET STATION CO040 036E03750RWS1RP1 AT BASELINE RD.
Dec 15, 10:46 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 681 N Georgetown, COMESONET STATION CO162 I-70 GEORGETOWN LAKE.
Dec 15, 10:46 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 701 Ne Aspen Springs, COMESONET STATION FW0549 BLACK HAWK.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 12:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 128 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 2021-12-14Temperature 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 2021-12-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -45 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
3648 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-45 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-27 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

539 
WWUS85 KBOU 141917
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1217 PM MST Tue Dec 14 2021

COZ215-216-238>241-243>247-249-150330-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0025.211215T1500Z-211216T0000Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
1217 PM MST Tue Dec 14 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM MST WEDNESDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE
FOOTHILLS...PALMER DIVIDE...AND PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST 
PLAINS...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 8 AM to 5 PM MST Wednesday.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 238, 239, 240, 
  241, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249.

* Timing...8 am to 5 pm MST Wednesday 

* Winds...West 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph.

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

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to the rapid spread of 
  new 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.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
713 
WWUS85 KBOU 150230
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
730 PM MST Tue Dec 14 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM MST WEDNESDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE
FOOTHILLS...PALMER DIVIDE...AND PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST 
PLAINS...FIRE WEATHER ZONES...215...216...238 THROUGH 241...
243 THROUGH 247 AND 249...


COZ215-216-238>241-243>247-249-151030-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0025.211215T1500Z-211216T0000Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
730 PM MST Tue Dec 14 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM MST
WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE
FOOTHILLS...PALMER DIVIDE...AND PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST
PLAINS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 238, 239, 240, 
  241, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249.

* Timing...8 am to 5 pm MST Wednesday

* Winds...West 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 80 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 17 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to the rapid spread of 
  new 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.

&&

$$
615 
WWUS85 KBOU 151023
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
323 AM MST Wed Dec 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM MST WEDNESDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS...
PALMER DIVIDE...AND PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST PLAINS...FIRE
WEATHER ZONES...215...216...238 THROUGH 241... 243 THROUGH
247 AND 249...

COZ215-216-238>241-243>247-249-160000-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0025.211215T1500Z-211216T0000Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
323 AM MST Wed Dec 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO
5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS...PALMER DIVIDE...AND PORTIONS OF THE
NORTHEAST PLAINS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 238, 239, 240, 
  241, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249.

* Timing...8 am to 5 pm MST Wednesday

* Winds...West 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 17 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be conducive to the rapid spread of 
  new 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.

&&

$$
310 
WWUS85 KBOU 152109
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
209 PM MST Wed Dec 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST TODAY FOR WIND AND 
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... PALMER 
DIVIDE...AND PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST PLAINS...FIRE WEATHER 
ZONES...215...216...238 THROUGH 241...243 THROUGH 247...AND 
249...

COZ215-216-238>241-243>247-249-160000-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0000Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
209 PM MST Wed Dec 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE
FOOTHILLS...PALMER DIVIDE...AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE NORTHEAST 
PLAINS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 238, 239, 240, 
  241, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249.

* Timing...8 am to 5 pm MST Wednesday

* Winds...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 18 percent.

* Impacts...The extreme winds will be conducive to the rapid 
  spread of new 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.

&&

$$
043 
WWUS85 KBOU 152356
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
456 PM MST Wed Dec 15 2021

COZ215-216-238>241-243>247-249-160100-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FW.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0000Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Washington County-
456 PM MST Wed Dec 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... 
PALMER DIVIDE...AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE NORTHEAST PLAINS...

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 14, 4:34 AM MSTHigh Wind WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver and 13 more36 hr
Dec 14, 11:54 AM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryBOUBoulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Jefferson and 3 more32 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.