Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 56, NWS Pueblo, CO

December 25, 202110 counties in Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this red flag warning at Dec 25, 2021, 2:52 PM MST for 10 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Dec 26, 2021, 11:00 AM MST. It was in force for 6 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
Dec 25, 2021, 2:52 PM MST (21:52 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 26, 2021, 11:00 AM MST
Expired
Dec 26, 2021, 5:00 PM MST
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO

Counties Baca County, CO, Bent County, CO, Crowley County, CO, El Paso County, CO, Huerfano County, CO, Kiowa County, CO, Las Animas County, CO, Otero County, CO, Prowers County, CO, Pueblo County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:55 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 26, 11:50 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 683 Ese Hoehne, COAWOS STATION KTAD TRINIDAD AIRPORT.
Dec 26, 1:23 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 644 S Cheraw, COASOS STATION KLHX LA JUNTA AIRPORT.
Dec 26, 1:27 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 713 Ese Hoehne, COAWOS STATION KTAD TRINIDAD AIRPORT.
Dec 26, 1:55 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 644 S Weston, COAWOS STATION 3CO4 4 S WESTON.
Dec 26, 1:56 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 629 S Springfield, COASOS STATION KSPD 8 S SPRINGFIELD.
Dec 26, 1:59 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 574 Sw Campo, COMESONET STATION UCNC2 UTE CANYON.
Dec 26, 2:22 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 524 Se Air Force Academy, COAWOS STATION KAFF US AIR FORCE ACADEMY.
Dec 26, 2:25 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 531 Se Peterson Afb, COASOS STATION KCOS COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT.
Dec 26, 2:35 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 674 E Crystola, COMESONET STATION RRAC2 1 SE RAMPART RSVR.
Dec 26, 2:43 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 565 Ne Blende, COASOS STATION KPUB PUEBLO AIRPORT.
Dec 26, 3:46 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 621 Se Peterson Afb, COASOS STATION KCOS COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT.

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, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 212 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 2021-12-25Temperature 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 2021-12-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 190 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
2171 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
109 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
190 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
307 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

403 
WWUS85 KPUB 252152
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
252 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 5 PM today for gusty 
winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels for Fire Weather Zones
222, 226, 227, and 228, which includes El Paso, Pueblo, and 
Fremont Counties...

...Red Flag Warning has been issued from 11 am until 5 pm MST 
Sunday for very strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels
for Fire Weather Zones 226 through 237, which includes El Paso, 
Pueblo, Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, 
Prowers, and Baca Counties...

COZ226>228-261400-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0031.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0056.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0055.000000T0000Z-211226T0000Z/
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
252 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 226...227 AND 228... 
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM MST SUNDAY FOR 
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 226...227 AND 228...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag
Warning for dry fuels, strong winds and low relative humidity, 
which is in effect from 11 AM to 5 PM MST Sunday. The Fire Weather
Watch is no longer in effect.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 226...227 and 228.

* Winds...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

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

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid rates of fire 
  growth and spread.

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.

&&

$$

COZ229>237-261400-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0031.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0056.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
252 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM MST SUNDAY FOR
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 229...230...231... 232...233...234...235...236
AND 237...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag
Warning for dry fuels, strong winds and low relative humidity,  
which is in effect from 11 AM to 5 PM MST Sunday. The Fire Weather
Watch is no longer in effect.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 229...230...231...232... 
  233...234...235...236 and 237.

* Winds...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 14 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid rates of fire 
  growth and spread.

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.

&&

$$

COZ222-260000-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0055.000000T0000Z-211226T0000Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
252 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 222...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 222.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

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

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid rates of fire 
  growth and spread.

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
294 
WWUS85 KPUB 252342
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
442 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 am until 5 pm MST Sunday
for very strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels for 
Fire Weather Zones 226 through 237, which includes El Paso, 
Pueblo, Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, 
Prowers, and Baca Counties...

COZ226>228-261545-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0055.000000T0000Z-211226T0000Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0056.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
442 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM MST
SUNDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND DRY FUELS FOR 
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 226... 227 AND 228... 

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE 
WEATHER ZONES 226...227 AND 228...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 226...227 and 228.

* Winds...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

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

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid rates of fire 
  growth and spread.

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.

&&

$$

COZ222-260045-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0055.000000T0000Z-211226T0000Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
442 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE 
WEATHER ZONE 222...

Critical fire weather conditions are no longer being observed,
therefore the Red Flag Warning has been allowed to expire. 

$$

COZ229>237-261545-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0056.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
442 PM MST Sat Dec 25 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM MST
SUNDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND DRY FUELS FOR 
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 229... 230...231...232...233...234...235...236 
AND 237...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 229...230...231...232... 
  233...234...235...236 and 237.

* Winds...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 14 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for rapid rates of fire 
  growth and spread.

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.

&&

$$
498 
WWUS85 KPUB 261041
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
341 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

...Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 am until 5 pm MST 
Sunday for very strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels
for Fire Weather Zones 226 through 237, which includes El Paso, 
Pueblo, Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, 
Prowers, and Baca Counties...

COZ226>237-270000-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0056.211226T1800Z-211227T0000Z/
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
341 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 226...227...228...229...230...231...232...
233...234...235...236 AND 237...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 226...227...228...229... 
  230...231...232...233...234...235...236 and 237.

* Winds...Southwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

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

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for very rapid rates of 
  fire growth and spread.

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.

&&

$$
209 
WWUS85 KPUB 262145
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
245 PM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

...Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 5 pm MST Sunday for 
very strong winds and low relative humidity for Fire Weather 
Zones 226 through 237, which includes El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, 
Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca 
counties...

COZ226>237-270000-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0056.000000T0000Z-211227T0000Z/
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
245 PM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 226...227...228...229...230...231...232...233...
234...235...236 AND 237...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 226...227...228...229... 
  230...231...232...233...234...235...236 and 237.

* Winds...West 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

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

* Impacts...Conditions will be favorable for very rapid rates of 
  fire growth and spread.

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.

&&

$$
623 
WWUS85 KPUB 262342
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
442 PM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

...Red Flag Warning will expire at 5 pm for El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, 
Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca 
counties......

COZ226>237-270045-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0056.000000T0000Z-211227T0000Z/
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
442 PM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
226...227...228...229...230...231...232...233...234...235...
236 AND 237...

Critical fire weather conditions will decrease as humidity values
begin to increase as temperatures across the plains gradually 
decrease. Humidity values are expected to rise to 20 percent or 
grater by 6 pm. West-southwest winds will also gradually decrease
after the sun sets, however, it will remain breezy at 10 to 20 mph
with gusts to 25 mph through the early evening hours. 

$$

Hodanish

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 24, 5:05 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso10 min
Dec 25, 3:28 AM MSTWinter Storm WatchPUBChaffee, Conejos, Lake, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache11 hr
Dec 25, 3:32 AM MSTHigh Wind WatchPUBAlamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont and 6 more12 hr
Dec 25, 3:39 AM MSTRed Flag WarningPUBEl Paso, Fremont, Pueblo13 hr
Dec 25, 2:56 PM MSTWinter Storm WarningPUBChaffee, Conejos, Lake, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache4 days
Dec 25, 2:56 PM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryPUBChaffee, Conejos, Lake, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache4 days
Dec 25, 3:02 PM MSTHigh Wind WarningPUBAlamosa, Bent, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley and 10 more27 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.