Alert archive / Montana / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 18, NWS Great Falls, MT

October 4, 202118 counties in Montana

NWS Great Falls, MT issued this red flag warning at Oct 4, 2021, 9:14 AM MDT for 18 counties in Montana. It took effect at Oct 5, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 8 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
Oct 4, 2021, 9:14 AM MDT (15:14 UTC)
In effect from
Oct 5, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Oct 5, 2021, 8:00 PM MDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Great Falls, MT

Counties Blaine County, MT, Broadwater County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Chouteau County, MT, Fergus County, MT, Gallatin County, MT, Glacier County, MT, Hill County, MT, Jefferson County, MT, Judith Basin County, MT, Lewis and Clark County, MT, Liberty County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Phillips County, MT, Pondera County, MT, Powell County, MT, Teton County, MT, Toole County, MT

The radar

The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 24 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:12 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

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 12:00Z, 3.2 hours before the alert went out and 37 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, Great_falls, MT at 12:00Z on 2021-10-04Temperature 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, Great_falls, MT at 12:00Z on 2021-10-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 63 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
2812 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
107 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

599 
WWUS85 KTFX 041514
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
914 AM MDT Mon Oct 4 2021

MTZ112-114-050615-
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0018.211005T1800Z-211006T0000Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
914 AM MDT Mon Oct 4 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR
UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS, AND LOW RELATIVE 
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112 AND 114...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning for unseasonably warm temperatures, gusty winds, and low 
relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 6 PM MDT 
Tuesday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern 
  Pondera/Liberty and Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky 
  Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front.

* TEMPERATURES...In the low 80s.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity, and gusty
  winds may allow fires to grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
5 follow-up statements
014 
WWUS85 KTFX 050252
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
852 PM MDT Mon Oct 4 2021

MTZ112-114-051200-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0018.211005T1800Z-211006T0000Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
852 PM MDT Mon Oct 4 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 6 PM MDT
TUESDAY FOR UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS, AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112 AND 114...

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern 
  Pondera/Liberty and Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky 
  Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid 70s to low 80s.

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

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity, and 
  gusty winds may allow fires to grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
804 
WWUS85 KTFX 050911
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
311 AM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

MTZ112-114-060000-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0018.211005T1800Z-211006T0000Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
311 AM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS, AND
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112 AND 114...

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern 
  Pondera/Liberty and Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky 
  Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front.

* TEMPERATURES...In the upper 70s to mid 80s.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity, and 
  gusty winds may allow fires to grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
038 
WWUS85 KTFX 051327
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
727 AM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

MTZ113-115>118-060200-
/O.EXB.KTFX.FW.W.0018.211005T1800Z-211006T0200Z/
Hill and Blaine Counties-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest-
727 AM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS, AND
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 113, 115, 116, 117, 
AND 118...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning for unseasonably warm temperatures, which is in effect
from Noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Hill and Blaine Counties, Chouteau and Fergus 
  Counties, Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National 
  Forest, Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest 
  Areas and Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena 
  National Forest.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid 70s to mid 80s.

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

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unseasonably warm temperatures, very low humidity, and
  gusty winds may allow fires to grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

MTZ112-114-060200-
/O.EXT.KTFX.FW.W.0018.211005T1800Z-211006T0200Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
727 AM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
112 AND 114...

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern 
  Pondera/Liberty and Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky 
  Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid 70s to mid 80s.

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

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity, and 
  gusty winds may allow fires to grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
798 
WWUS85 KTFX 052047
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
247 PM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

MTZ112>118-060200-
/O.CON.KTFX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-211006T0200Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Hill and Blaine Counties-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest-
247 PM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 112,
113, 114, 115, 116, 117, AND 118...

* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern 
  Pondera/Liberty, Hill and Blaine Counties, Lewis and Clark 
  National Forest Rocky Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front, 
  Chouteau and Fergus Counties, Lincoln Ranger District of the 
  Helena National Forest, Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark 
  National Forest Areas and Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts 
  of the Helena National Forest.

* TEMPERATURES...Near 80.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unseasonably warm temperatures, very low humidity, 
  and gusty winds may allow fires to grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
421 
WWUS85 KTFX 060155
RFWTFX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
755 PM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

MTZ112>118-060300-
/O.EXP.KTFX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-211006T0200Z/
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
Hill and Blaine Counties-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest-
755 PM MDT Tue Oct 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR UNSEASONABLY
WARM TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS, AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, AND 118...

Winds have diminished and RH levels are increasing across the
warned area. The Red Flag Warning will be allowed to expire at 8 PM
MDT this evening.

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Montana, 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.