Alert archive / Nebraska / Red Flag Warnings in 2025

Red Flag Warning 21, NWS Cheyenne, WY

December 18, 2025Banner County, Cheyenne County, Kimball County, Nebraska; Laramie County, Wyoming

NWS Cheyenne, WY issued this red flag warning at Dec 18, 2025, 3:04 AM MST for Banner County, Cheyenne County, Kimball County, Nebraska; Laramie County, Wyoming. It took effect at Dec 18, 2025, 5:00 AM MST. It was in force for 12 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
Dec 18, 2025, 3:04 AM MST (10:04 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 18, 2025, 5:00 AM MST
Expired
Dec 18, 2025, 5:00 PM MST
In force
12 hr
Issued by
NWS Cheyenne, WY

Counties Banner County, NE, Cheyenne County, NE, Kimball County, NE, Laramie County, WY

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:05 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

Rapid City, SD (KUNR), launched 00:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 315 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, Rapid City, SD at 00:00Z on 2025-12-18Temperature 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, Rapid City, SD at 00:00Z on 2025-12-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 227 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
2242 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
61 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
227 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
260 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

752 
WWUS85 KCYS 181004
RFWCYS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
304 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON FOR
PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND THE SOUTHERN NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY FOR MUCH OF THE HIGH
PLAINS...

NEZ437-WYZ430-431-190000-
/O.NEW.KCYS.FW.W.0021.251218T1200Z-251218T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KCYS.FW.A.0013.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Lodgepole Creek/Southern Nebraska Panhandle-
Laramie Foothills and High Plains-Laramie East High Plains-
304 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING FOR LOW
RH AND STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 430, 431, AND 437... 

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY
EVENING FOR LOW RH AND VERY STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 
430, 431, AND 437...

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect until 11 AM MST this morning. a Fire
Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in
effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 430, 431 and 437.
  

* WIND...For the Red Flag Warning - Gusts 40 to 60 mph. For the 
  Fire Weather Watch - Gusts 50 to 70 mph.

* HUMIDITY...For the Red Flag Warning - RH values of 20 to 25%. 
  For the Fire Weather Watch - RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will be
  borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined with
  the high winds in the region will create a critical fire weather
  environment.

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

NEZ436-WYZ432-433-190000-
/O.NEW.KCYS.FW.A.0013.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Lower North Platte River Basin/Scottsbluff National Monument-
Bordeaux/Chugwater/Wheatland-Goshen/Middle-
Lower North Platte River Basin-
304 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING FOR LOW RH AND VERY STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER 
ZONES 432, 433, AND 436...

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Fire
Weather Watch, which is in effect from Friday morning through
Friday evening. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 432, 433, and 436. 

* WIND...Gusts 50 to 75 mph.

* HUMIDITY...RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will be
  borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined with
  the high winds in the region will create a critical fire weather
  environment.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
398 
WWUS85 KCYS 181107
RFWCYS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
407 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...CORRECTION FOR EXPIRATION OF RED FLAG WARNING...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON FOR
PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND THE SOUTHERN NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY FOR MUCH OF THE HIGH
PLAINS...

NEZ437-WYZ430-431-190000-
/O.EXT.KCYS.FW.W.0021.251218T1200Z-251219T0000Z/
/O.CON.KCYS.FW.A.0013.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Lodgepole Creek/Southern Nebraska Panhandle-
Laramie Foothills and High Plains-Laramie East High Plains-
407 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR 
LOW RH AND STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 430, 431, AND 
437... 
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING FOR LOW RH AND VERY STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER 
ZONES 430, 431, AND 437...

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect until 5 PM MST this morning. a Fire 
Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in 
effect from Friday morning through Friday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 430, 431 and 437.

* WIND...For the Red Flag Warning - Gusts 40 to 60 mph. For the 
  Fire Weather Watch - Gusts 50 to 70 mph.

* HUMIDITY...For the Red Flag Warning - RH values of 20 to 25%. 
  For the Fire Weather Watch - RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will 
  be borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined 
  with the high winds in the region will create a critical fire 
  weather environment. 

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

NEZ436-WYZ432-433-190000-
/O.CON.KCYS.FW.A.0013.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Lower North Platte River Basin/Scottsbluff National Monument-
Bordeaux/Chugwater/Wheatland-Goshen/Middle-
Lower North Platte River Basin-
407 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR LOW RH AND VERY STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE 
WEATHER ZONES 432, 433, AND 436...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 432, 433, and 436.

* WIND...Gusts 50 to 75 mph.

* HUMIDITY...RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will 
  be borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined 
  with the high winds in the region will create a critical fire 
  weather environment. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$
096 
WWUS85 KCYS 181748
RFWCYS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
1048 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025


...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON FOR
PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND THE SOUTHERN NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE...

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY FOR MUCH OF THE HIGH 
PLAINS...

NEZ437-WYZ430-431-191200-
/O.UPG.KCYS.FW.A.0013.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KCYS.FW.W.0022.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
/O.CON.KCYS.FW.W.0021.000000T0000Z-251219T0000Z/
Lodgepole Creek/Southern Nebraska Panhandle-
Laramie Foothills and High Plains-Laramie East High Plains-
1048 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR LOW RH AND STRONG WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 430,
431, AND 437...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 PM
MST FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 11 PM MST Friday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 430, 431 and 437.

* WIND...For today - Gusts 40 to 60 mph. For tomorrow - Gusts 50 
  to 70 mph.

* HUMIDITY...For today - RH values of 20 to 25%. For tomorrow - 
  RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will be 
  borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined with 
  the high winds in the region will create a critical fire weather
  environment.


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.

&&

$$

NEZ436-WYZ432-433-191200-
/O.UPG.KCYS.FW.A.0013.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KCYS.FW.W.0022.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Lower North Platte River Basin/Scottsbluff National Monument-
Bordeaux/Chugwater/Wheatland-Goshen/Middle-
Lower North Platte River Basin-
1048 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 PM MST FRIDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY....

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 11 PM MST Friday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 

* WIND...Gusts 50 to 75 mph.

* HUMIDITY...RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will be 
  borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined with 
  the high winds in the region will create a critical fire weather
  environment.


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.

&&

$$

NEZ434-435-WYZ417-418-191200-
/O.NEW.KCYS.FW.W.0022.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Pine Ridge/Nebraska National Forest-
Box Butte/South Sioux/Niobrara River-
Niobrara/Lower Elevations of Converse/Thunder Basin National
Grassland-
Middle North Platte River Basin/Niobrara and Converse High Plains-
1048 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 PM MST FRIDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 11 PM MST Friday. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 434, 435, 417, 418. 

* WIND...Gusts 40 to 60 mph.

* HUMIDITY...RH values 15 to 30%.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will be 
  borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined with 
  the high winds in the region will create a critical fire weather
  environment.

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.

&&

$$
426 
WWUS85 KCYS 182347
RFWCYS

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
447 PM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON FOR
PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND THE SOUTHERN NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE...

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY FOR MUCH OF THE HIGH
PLAINS...

NEZ437-WYZ430-431-191200-
/O.EXP.KCYS.FW.W.0021.000000T0000Z-251219T0000Z/
/O.CON.KCYS.FW.W.0022.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Lodgepole Creek/Southern Nebraska Panhandle-
Laramie Foothills and High Plains-Laramie East High Plains-
447 PM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 PM MST
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 
430, 431, AND 437...

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW Humidity FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 430, 431, AND
437...


The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 11 PM MST Friday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 430, 431 and 437.

* WIND...For today - Gusts 40 to 60 mph. For tomorrow - Gusts 
  50 to 70 mph. 

* HUMIDITY...RH values of 15 to 20%.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will be
  borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined with
  the high winds in the region will create a critical fire weather
  environment. 

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.

&&

$$

NEZ434>436-WYZ417-418-432-433-191200-
/O.CON.KCYS.FW.W.0022.251219T1700Z-251220T0600Z/
Pine Ridge/Nebraska National Forest-
Box Butte/South Sioux/Niobrara River-
Lower North Platte River Basin/Scottsbluff National Monument-
Niobrara/Lower Elevations of Converse/Thunder Basin National
Grassland-
Middle North Platte River Basin/Niobrara and Converse High Plains-
Bordeaux/Chugwater/Wheatland-Goshen/Middle-
Lower North Platte River Basin-
447 PM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 PM MST
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 
417, 418, 432, 433, 434, 435, AND 436...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 434, 435, 417, 418.

* WIND...Gusts 40 to 60 mph.

* HUMIDITY...RH values 15 to 30%.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. Although conditions will 
  be borderline, a lack of significant precipitation combined 
  with the high winds in the region will create a critical fire 
  weather environment. 

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.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Cheyenne, WY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 18, 3:04 AM MSTFire Weather WatchCYSBanner, Cheyenne, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sioux8 hr
Dec 18, 10:16 AM MSTHigh Wind WarningCYSBanner, Box Butte, Dawes, Kimball, Scotts Bluff, Sioux46 hr
Dec 18, 10:48 AM MSTRed Flag WarningCYSBanner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Kimball, Morrill and 2 more37 hr
Dec 17, 5:22 PM MSTSnow Squall WarningCYSAlbany, Laramie53 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Nebraska, 2025Red Flag Warnings in Wyoming, 2025Every red flag warning in 2025

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.