Alert archive / Texas / Red Flag Warnings in 2023

Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX

March 30, 202323 counties in Texas; 5 counties in New Mexico

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this red flag warning at Mar 30, 2023, 1:42 PM CDT for 23 counties in Texas; 5 counties in New Mexico. It took effect at Mar 31, 2023, 9:00 AM CDT. It was in force for 10 hr. 4 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
Mar 30, 2023, 1:42 PM CDT (18:42 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 31, 2023, 9:00 AM CDT
Expired
Mar 31, 2023, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
All 28 counties

Chaves County, NM, Eddy County, NM, Lea County, NM, Lincoln County, NM, Otero County, NM, Andrews County, TX, Borden County, TX, Brewster County, TX, Crane County, TX, Culberson County, TX, Dawson County, TX, Ector County, TX, Gaines County, TX, Glasscock County, TX, Howard County, TX, Jeff Davis County, TX, Loving County, TX, Martin County, TX, Midland County, TX, Mitchell County, TX, Pecos County, TX, Presidio County, TX, Reagan County, TX, Reeves County, TX, Scurry County, TX, Upton County, TX, Ward County, TX, Winkler County, TX

The radar

The Midland/Odessa radar (KMAF), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:46 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
Mar 31, 10:13 AM CDTNON-TSTM WND GST 513 Ene Queen, NMMESONET STATION QENN5 QUEEN.
Mar 31, 10:52 AM CDTNON-TSTM WND GST 721 Ene Pine Springs, TXMESONET STATION PSGT2 PINERY.
Mar 31, 12:45 PM CDTNON-TSTM WND GST 621 Nw Midland Internatio, TXASOS STATION KMAF MIDLAND.
Mar 31, 2:00 PM CDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5016 S Orla, TXMESONET STATION FW9692 PECOS.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Midland Regional, TX (KMAF), launched 12:00Z, 6.7 hours before the alert went out and 68 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, Midland Regional, TX at 12:00Z on 2023-03-30Temperature 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, Midland Regional, TX at 12:00Z on 2023-03-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 293 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
1202 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
293 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
325 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

110 
WWUS84 KMAF 301842
RFWMAF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
142 PM CDT Thu Mar 30 2023

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH 
THIS EVENING FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND OF 
20 MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR MUCH OF 
SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND PORTIONS OF WEST TEXAS...

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 
AFTERNOON FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND OF 20 
MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF 
SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MUCH OF WEST TEXAS...

NMZ116>119-TXZ059-270>274-311045-
/O.UPG.KMAF.FW.A.0011.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMAF.FW.W.0013.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-230331T0100Z/
Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains-Chaves Plains-
Eddy Plains-Lea-Loving-Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-
Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-
Eastern Culberson County-Reeves County Plains-
142 PM CDT Thu Mar 30 2023 /1242 PM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023/

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH 
THIS EVENING FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND OF 
20 MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR MUCH OF 
SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND PORTIONS OF WEST TEXAS...

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 
AFTERNOON FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND OF 20 
MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF 
SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MUCH OF WEST TEXAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Loving, Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe 
  Mountains, Chaves Plains, Eddy Plains, Lea, Guadalupe 
  Mountains Above 7000 Feet, Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains, 
  Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor, Eastern Culberson County and 
  Reeves County Plains.

* TIMING...For the first warning: late Thursday morning through
  Thursday evening. For second warning: late Friday morning 
  through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...West 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Higher gusts
  possible in the mountains.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* RFTI...6 to 8 or critical to extreme.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that 
  may generate sparks. Accidental ignitions will have the 
  potential to grow quickly into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

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 will increase
potential for fire growth.

&&

$$

TXZ045>048-050>053-060>063-067>070-075-276>278-311045-
/O.UPG.KMAF.FW.A.0011.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMAF.FW.W.0013.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-
Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Pecos-
Marfa Plateau-Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-
142 PM CDT Thu Mar 30 2023

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 
AFTERNOON FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND OF 20 
MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF 
SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MUCH OF WEST TEXAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Gaines, Dawson, Borden, Scurry, Andrews, 
  Martin, Howard, Mitchell, Winkler, Ector, Midland, Glasscock, 
  Ward, Crane, Upton, Reagan, Pecos, Marfa Plateau, Davis 
  Mountains and Davis Mountains Foothills.

* TIMING...Late Friday morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Higher winds
  in the mountains.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* RFTI...6 to 7 or critical to extreme.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that 
  may generate sparks. Accidental ignitions will have the 
  potential to grow quickly into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

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 will increase
potential for fire growth.

&&

$$

TXZ275-279-280-311045-
/O.NEW.KMAF.FW.W.0013.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
Chinati Mountains-Central Brewster County-Chisos Basin-
142 PM CDT Thu Mar 30 2023

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 
AFTERNOON FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND OF 20 
MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL OF 
SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MUCH OF WEST TEXAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Chinati Mountains, Central Brewster County and 
  Chisos Basin.

* TIMING...Late Friday morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

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

* RFTI...5 to 6 or critical.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that 
  may generate sparks. Accidental ignitions will have the 
  potential to grow quickly into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

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 will increase
potential for fire growth.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
293 
WWUS84 KMAF 310137
RFWMAF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
837 PM CDT Thu Mar 30 2023

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH AFTERNOON FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND
OF 20 MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL
OF SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MUCH OF WEST TEXAS...

NMZ116>119-TXZ045>048-050>053-059>063-067>070-075-270>280-311300-
/O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0013.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains-Chaves Plains-
Eddy Plains-Lea-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-
Mitchell-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-
Reagan-Pecos-Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-
Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-
Eastern Culberson County-Reeves County Plains-Chinati Mountains-
Marfa Plateau-Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-
Central Brewster County-Chisos Basin-
837 PM CDT Thu Mar 30 2023 /737 PM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023/

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH AFTERNOON FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WIND
OF 20 MPH OR GREATER, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR ALL
OF SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MUCH OF WEST TEXAS...

* TIMING...late Friday morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* RFTI...5 to 6 or critical.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that 
  may generate sparks. Accidental ignitions will have the 
  potential to grow quickly into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

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 will increase
potential for fire growth.

&&

$$
635 
WWUS84 KMAF 310900
RFWMAF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
400 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/
THIS MORNING TO 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR RELATIVE
HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE, AND HIGH TO
VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND MOST OF WEST
TEXAS...

NMZ116>119-TXZ045>048-050>053-059>063-067>070-075-270>280-010000-
/O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0013.230331T1400Z-230401T0000Z/
Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains-Chaves Plains-
Eddy Plains-Lea-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-
Mitchell-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-
Reagan-Pecos-Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-
Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-
Eastern Culberson County-Reeves County Plains-Chinati Mountains-
Marfa Plateau-Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-
Central Brewster County-Chisos Basin-
400 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 /300 AM MDT Fri Mar 31 2023/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/
THIS MORNING TO 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR RELATIVE
HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR MORE...

* TIMING...late Friday morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

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

* RFTI...5 or critical.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that 
  may generate sparks.  Accidental ignitions will have the 
  potential to grow quickly into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

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 will increase 
potential for fire growth.

&&

$$

44
691 
WWUS84 KMAF 311807
RFWMAF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
107 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT OR 6 PM MDT 
THIS EVENING FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 10% OR LESS, 20FT WINDS OF 
25 MPH OR MORE, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR SOUTHEAST 
NEW MEXICO AND MOST OF WEST TEXAS...

NMZ116>119-TXZ045>048-050>053-059>063-067>070-075-270>280-010000-
/O.CON.KMAF.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230401T0000Z/
Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains-Chaves Plains-
Eddy Plains-Lea-Gaines-Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-
Mitchell-Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-
Reagan-Pecos-Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-
Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-
Eastern Culberson County-Reeves County Plains-Chinati Mountains-
Marfa Plateau-Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-
Central Brewster County-Chisos Basin-
107 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 /1207 PM MDT Fri Mar 31 2023/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT OR 6 PM MDT 
THIS EVENING FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 10% OR LESS, 20FT WINDS OF 
25 MPH OR MORE, AND HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR SOUTHEAST 
NEW MEXICO AND MOST OF WEST TEXAS...

* TIMING...Now through this afternoon.

* WINDS...West 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Higher winds
  in the mountains.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* RFTI...5 to 7 or critical.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that 
  may generate sparks. Accidental ignitions will have the 
  potential to grow quickly into dangerous wind-driven 
  wildfires. 

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 will increase
potential for fire growth.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 30, 3:35 AM CDTWind AdvisoryMAFBrewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, Reeves20 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Texas, 2023Red Flag Warnings in New Mexico, 2023Every red flag warning in 2023

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.