Alert archive / Minnesota / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 1, NWS Twin Cities, MN

March 28, 202114 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this red flag warning at Mar 28, 2021, 2:33 PM CDT for 14 counties in Minnesota. It took effect at Mar 29, 2021, 12:00 PM CDT. It was in force for 10 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 28, 2021, 2:33 PM CDT (19:33 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 29, 2021, 12:00 PM CDT
Expired
Mar 29, 2021, 9:44 PM CDT
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Chippewa County, MN, Douglas County, MN, Kandiyohi County, MN, Lac qui Parle County, MN, Meeker County, MN, Morrison County, MN, Pope County, MN, Redwood County, MN, Renville County, MN, Stearns County, MN, Stevens County, MN, Swift County, MN, Todd County, MN, Yellow Medicine County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 142 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:38 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

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 7.6 hours before the alert went out and 140 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2021-03-28Temperature 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2021-03-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 65 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
1158 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
65 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
151 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

235 
WWUS83 KMPX 281933
RFWMPX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
233 PM CDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED MONDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING ACROSS WESTERN AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

.South winds will increase to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 or 50 
mph Monday afternoon, then shift to the west and diminish some 
Monday evening. Relative humidities will drop to between 20 and 
25 percent across western Minnesota by afternoon. A dryline may 
precede the cold front by a couple hours in the late afternoon. 
During that time, RH values could drop further into the teens 
across far western Minnesota. Humidities will improve slowly 
Monday evening, but winds will remain gusty through the night.

MNZ041>043-047>049-054>058-064-065-073-290345-
/O.NEW.KMPX.FW.W.0001.210329T1700Z-210330T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-
233 PM CDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON MONDAY TO 1 AM CDT
TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WESTERN AND
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon Monday to 1 AM
CDT Tuesday. 

* AFFECTED AREA...West of a line from Little Falls to Litchfield
  and Redwood Falls. 

* WIND...South wind 25 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph,
  becoming west in the evening.

* HUMIDITY...17 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

&&

$$

Borghoff
5 follow-up statements
914 
WWUS83 KMPX 290406
RFWMPX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1106 PM CDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED MONDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING ACROSS WESTERN AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

.South winds will increase to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 or
50 mph Monday afternoon, then shift to the west and diminish some
Monday evening. Relative humidities will drop to between 20 and
25 percent across western Minnesota by the afternoon. An initial
cold may precede the main cold front by a couple hours in the 
late afternoon. During that time, RH values could drop further 
into the teens across far western Minnesota. Humidities will 
improve slowly Monday evening, but winds will remain gusty through
the night.

MNZ041>043-047>049-054>058-064-065-073-291215-
/O.CON.KMPX.FW.W.0001.210329T1700Z-210330T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-
1106 PM CDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MONDAY TO 1 AM
CDT TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
WESTERN AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...West of a line from Little Falls to Litchfield 
  and Redwood Falls. 

* WIND...South wind 25 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph, 
  becoming west in the evening.

* HUMIDITY...17 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

&&

$$
263 
WWUS83 KMPX 290953
RFWMPX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
453 AM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND 
EVENING ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon
across portions of western and central Minnesota, as temperatures
warm into the upper 70s and southerly winds gust as high as 45-50
mph this afternoon. The driest conditions are expected for a few 
hours this afternoon across western Minnesota, where RH values 
look to drop well into the teens while temperatures remain warm 
behind a dryline. Temperatures will begin to fall during the late 
afternoon and evening behind a cold front, but much drier air 
behind the front will result in critical relative humidity values
into the evening hours. 

MNZ041>043-047>049-054>058-064-065-073-292200-
/O.CON.KMPX.FW.W.0001.210329T1700Z-210330T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-
453 AM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 1 AM CDT
TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS 
PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...West of a line from Little Falls to Litchfield 
  and Redwood Falls. 

* WIND...South wind 25 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph, 
  becoming west in the evening.

* HUMIDITY...17 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

&&

$$
514 
WWUS83 KMPX 291703
RFWMPX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1203 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon
across portions of western and central Minnesota as temperatures 
warm into the upper 70s and southerly winds gust as high as 45 to 
50 mph. The driest conditions are expected for a few hours this 
afternoon across western Minnesota, where RH values are likely to
drop to around 15 percent. Temperatures will begin to fall during
the evening behind a cold front, but even drier air behind the 
front will result in critical relative humidity values being 
maintained through the evening. 

MNZ041>043-047>049-054>058-064-065-073-300115-
/O.CON.KMPX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210330T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-
1203 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT TUESDAY FOR
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN
AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...West of a line from Little Falls to Litchfield 
  and Redwood Falls. 

* WIND...South wind 25 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph, 
  becoming west in the evening.

* HUMIDITY...15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

&&

$$

Borghoff
056 
WWUS83 KMPX 292004
RFWMPX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
304 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...VERY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED INTO THIS EVENING
ACROSS WESTERN MINNESOTA...

.Temperatures in the low to mid 80s with dew points in the low to
mid 20s have resulted in humidities dropping into the 9 to 13
percent range. Combined with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, very
dangerous fire weather conditions are occurring in areas such as
Madison, Canby, Montevideo, Appleton, and Morris. These conditions
will expand a little farther eastward late this afternoon, perhaps
to Redwood Falls and Willmar. Otherwise, humidities of 20 to 25
percent are expected north into central Minnesota.

Temperatures will begin to fall during the evening behind a cold 
front, but even drier air behind the front will result in critical
relative humidity values being maintained through the evening.

MNZ041>043-047>049-054>058-064-065-073-300415-
/O.CON.KMPX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210330T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-
304 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT TUESDAY FOR
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN
AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...West of a line from Little Falls to Litchfield 
  and Redwood Falls. 

* WIND...South wind 25 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph, 
  becoming west in the evening.

* HUMIDITY...8 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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.

&&

$$

Borghoff
159 
WWUS83 KMPX 300244
RFWMPX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
944 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING CANCELLED...

.Relative humidities have risen above critical thresholds. 
Therefore, the Red Flag Warning is cancelled.

MNZ041>043-047>049-054>058-064-065-073-300345-
/O.CAN.KMPX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210330T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-
944 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL
MINNESOTA...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has
cancelled the Red Flag Warning. 

Relative humidities have risen above critical thresholds. 
Therefore, the Red Flag Warning is cancelled.

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 28, 2:37 PM CDTWind AdvisoryMPXAnoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa and 36 more30 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Minnesota, 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.