Alert archive / Kansas / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 2, NWS Goodland, KS
NWS Goodland, KS issued this red flag warning at Jan 15, 2026, 12:56 PM MST for Cheyenne County, Kit Carson County, Yuma County, Colorado; 13 counties in Kansas; Dundy County, Hitchcock County, Red Willow County, Nebraska. It took effect at Jan 16, 2026, 8:00 AM MST. It was in force for 10 hr. 60 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
- Jan 15, 2026, 12:56 PM MST (19:56 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jan 16, 2026, 8:00 AM MST
- Expired
- Jan 16, 2026, 6:00 PM MST
- In force
- 10 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Goodland, KS
Counties Cheyenne County, CO, Kit Carson County, CO, Yuma County, CO, Cheyenne County, KS, Decatur County, KS, Gove County, KS, Graham County, KS, Greeley County, KS, Logan County, KS, Norton County, KS, Rawlins County, KS, Sheridan County, KS, Sherman County, KS, Thomas County, KS, Wallace County, KS, Wichita County, KS, Dundy County, NE, Hitchcock County, NE, Red Willow County, NE
The radar
The Goodland radar (KGLD), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:58 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16, 8:29 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 57 | 2 Ene Colby, KS | Personal Weather Station Reported 57 mph. |
| Jan 16, 8:53 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 Nne Goodland, KS | ASOS station KGLD Goodland. |
| Jan 16, 8:53 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 10 Ne Wallace, KS | Section 17, McAllaster 61 mph. |
| Jan 16, 8:55 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 9 Wsw Winona, KS | UP840. |
| Jan 16, 8:56 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 56 | 8 Sse Quinter, KS | Werth, Quinter. |
| Jan 16, 8:57 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 8 Nne Culbertson, NE | Weather Station Measured 62 mph. |
| Jan 16, 9:01 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 1 Ne Clarkville, CO | My_Weather_Station. |
| Jan 16, 9:05 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 3 Nnw Beecher Island, CO | Lazy_TD_Farm. |
| Jan 16, 9:05 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 9 Wsw Winona, KS | UP840. |
| Jan 16, 9:06 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 4 N Ludell, KS | KS-Ludell3N. |
| Jan 16, 9:07 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 64 | 8 Nne Culbertson, NE | Weather Station Hock AWN. |
| Jan 16, 9:15 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 57 | 3 Nnw Vernon, CO | PWS-KCOWRAY7. |
| Jan 16, 9:17 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 9 N Page City, KS | Summers646. |
| Jan 16, 9:25 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 8 N Marienthal, KS | 8MileN AWN. |
| Jan 16, 9:25 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 70 | 9 Wsw Winona, KS | UP840. |
| Jan 16, 9:26 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 3 Ese Park, KS | Ochs AWN. |
| Jan 16, 9:27 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | Rexford, KS | My Weather AWN. |
| Jan 16, 9:29 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 10 S Saint Francis, KS | KS-Cheyenne Mesonet. |
| Jan 16, 9:30 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 Sse Saint Francis, KS | PWS-KKSSAINT20. |
| Jan 16, 9:30 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 2 Ene Colby, KS | F6347. |
| Jan 16, 9:30 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 2 Ene Colby, KS | PWS-KKSCOLBY. |
| Jan 16, 9:30 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 3 Nnw Vernon, CO | PWS-KCOWRAY7. |
| Jan 16, 9:35 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 1 N Wray, CO | K2V5. |
| Jan 16, 9:38 AM MST | DUST STORM | 1 Ese Ruleton, KS | Visibility of less than a half mile reported roughly a half mile east of MM 10 on I-70. |
| Jan 16, 9:39 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 9 N Page City, KS | PWS-KKSCOLBY28. |
| Jan 16, 9:40 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 6 Sw Mingo, KS | My house AWN. |
| Jan 16, 9:45 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | Hale, CO | TT563. |
| Jan 16, 9:50 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 2 E Mccook, NE | KMCK. |
| Jan 16, 9:52 AM MST | DUST STORM | 2 E Caruso, KS | Social media report of quarter to half mile visibility due to blowing dust. |
| Jan 16, 9:53 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 1 Nne Goodland, KS | KGLD ASOS. |
| Jan 16, 10:05 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 4 Ne Idalia, CO | Mesonet station CO047 385n220 Idalia. |
| Jan 16, 10:05 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 4 Ne Idalia, CO | CO047. |
| Jan 16, 10:11 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 9 N Page City, KS | PWS-KKSCOLBY28. |
| Jan 16, 10:15 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 12 Nnw Ruleton, KS | PWS-KKSKANOR6. |
| Jan 16, 10:20 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 13 Nnw Ruleton, KS | F1147. |
| Jan 16, 10:24 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 9 Sse Sharon Springs, KS | Mesonet station CW6099 9 SSE Sharon Springs. |
| Jan 16, 10:26 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 74 | 10 Ne Wallace, KS | Section 17 AWN. |
| Jan 16, 10:28 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 75 | 1 Nne Goodland, KS | ASOS station KGLD Goodland. |
| Jan 16, 10:28 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 76 | 1 Nne Goodland, KS | Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report from 1 NNE Goodland. ASOS station KGLD Goodland. |
| Jan 16, 10:30 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 4 W Wallace, KS | Mesonet station K5WLC US-40 - 2 mi. W of Wallace. |
| Jan 16, 10:34 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 W Kit Carson, CO | Mesonet station UP729 0.5 W Kit Carson (UPR). |
| Jan 16, 10:37 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | Aroya, CO | UP695. |
| Jan 16, 10:40 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 16 Sse Wallace, KS | PWS-KKSWALLA4. |
| Jan 16, 10:44 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 9 Sse Sharon Springs, KS | C6099. |
| Jan 16, 10:44 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 1 W Kit Carson, CO | UP729. |
| Jan 16, 10:45 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 64 | Rexford, KS | My Weather AWN. |
| Jan 16, 10:50 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 5 Ssw Burlington, CO | KITR. |
| Jan 16, 10:51 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 2 E Leoti, KS | KS-Leoti Mesonet. |
| Jan 16, 10:52 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 66 | Aroya, CO | Mesonet station UP695 Aroya (UPR). |
| Jan 16, 10:54 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 1 Sse Yuma, CO | K2V6 Yuma. |
| Jan 16, 11:00 AM MST | DUST STORM | 16 S Burlington, CO | Trained spotter reported visibility around 3/4 mile due to blowing dust. |
| Jan 16, 11:00 AM MST | DUST STORM | 1 W Yuma, CO | EMT reported visibility down to a fifth of a mile on the west side of Yuma. Still on going a half hour later. |
| Jan 16, 11:00 AM MST | DUST STORM | 5 Wsw Bonny Reservoir, CO | Corrects previous dust storm report from 16 S Burlington. Trained spotter reported visibility around 3/4 mile due to blowing dust. |
| Jan 16, 11:00 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 4 W Wallace, KS | Mesonet station K5WLC US-40 - 2 mi. W of Wallace. |
| Jan 16, 11:01 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ese Kanorado, KS | *** 1 INJ *** Updates previous non-tstm wnd dmg report from 2 ESE Kanorado. High profile vehicle overturned at MM3 on I-70. Gusts estimated to be 70 MPH at the time. Suspected to be a serious injury. |
| Jan 16, 11:01 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ese Kanorado, KS | High profile vehicle overturned at MM3 on I-70. Gusts estimated to be 70 MPH at the time. |
| Jan 16, 11:06 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 Ne Clarkville, CO | My Weather Station AWN. |
| Jan 16, 11:07 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 7 N Stratton, CO | SevenFarms AWN. |
| Jan 16, 11:08 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 8 Nnw Bethune, CO | PWS-KCOSTRAT21 Kit Carson County. |
| Jan 16, 11:19 AM MST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 2 Ssw Firstview, CO | PWS-KCOCHEYE8 Cheyenne County CO. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 217 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1367 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 61 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 242 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 239 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
979 WWUS83 KGLD 151956 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 1256 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... COZ252>254-KSZ013-027-160400- /O.UPG.KGLD.FW.A.0002.260116T1200Z-260117T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260116T0000Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Sherman-Wallace- 1256 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 013, 027, 252, 253, AND 254... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, WIND, AND DRY CONDITIONS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 013, 027, 252, 253, AND 254... The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind, low relative humidity and dry conditions, which is in effect from 8 AM to 6 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 013 Sherman, 027 Wallace, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 5 PM MST this afternoon. For the second Red Flag Warning, from 8 AM to 6 PM MST Friday. * WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 14 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ KSZ001>003-014-015-028-029-041-042-NEZ079>081-160400- /O.UPG.KGLD.FW.A.0002.260116T1200Z-260117T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Thomas-Sheridan-Logan-Gove-Greeley- Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 1256 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 /156 PM CST Thu Jan 15 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ TO 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ FRIDAY FOR WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY CONDITIONS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 003, 014, 015, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, AND 081... The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a Red Flag Warning for winds, low relative humidity and dry conditions, which is in effect from 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ to 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 003 Decatur, 014 Thomas, 015 Sheridan, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock and 081 Red Willow. * TIMING...From 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ to 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ Friday. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ KSZ004-016-160400- /O.EXT.KGLD.FW.A.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Norton-Graham- 156 PM CST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WINDS AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 004 AND 016... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 004 Norton and 016 Graham. * TIMING...From Friday morning through Friday evening. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 22 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. 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. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
7 follow-up statements
066 WWUS83 KGLD 160001 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 501 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...Red Flag Warning For Thursday has expired. Critical fire weather conditions remain forecast Friday.... COZ252>254-KSZ013-027-160815- /O.EXP.KGLD.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260116T0000Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Sherman-Wallace- 501 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 013, 027, 252, 253, AND 254... ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 013, 027, 252, 253, AND 254... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 013 Sherman, 027 Wallace, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...From 8 AM to 6 PM MST Friday. * WINDS...Northwest 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ KSZ001>003-014-015-028-029-041-042-NEZ079>081-160815- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Thomas-Sheridan-Logan-Gove-Greeley- Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 501 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 /601 PM CST Thu Jan 15 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ TO 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 003, 014, 015, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, AND 081... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 003 Decatur, 014 Thomas, 015 Sheridan, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock and 081 Red Willow. * TIMING...From 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ to 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ Friday. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ KSZ004-016-160815- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Norton-Graham- 601 PM CST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 004 AND 016... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 004 Norton and 016 Graham. * TIMING...From Friday morning through Friday evening. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 22 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
380 WWUS83 KGLD 160228 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 728 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 KSZ004-016-161030- /O.UPG.KGLD.FW.A.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.EXA.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Norton-Graham- 828 PM CST Thu Jan 15 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM CST FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 004 AND 016... The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 9 AM to 7 PM CST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 004 Norton and 016 Graham. * TIMING...From 9 AM to 7 PM CST Friday. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 20 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ COZ252>254-KSZ001>003-013>015-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-161030- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan- Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 728 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 /828 PM CST Thu Jan 15 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ TO 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 003, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 081, 252, 253, AND 254... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 003 Decatur, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 015 Sheridan, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock, 081 Red Willow, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...From 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ to 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ Friday. * WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 16 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
124 WWUS83 KGLD 160836 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 136 AM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 COZ252>254-KSZ001-002-013>015-027>029-041-042-NEZ079-080-162200- /O.NEW.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Wallace- Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- 136 AM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /236 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 252, 253, AND 254... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 252, 253, AND 254... The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 015 Sheridan, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 8 AM MST /9 AM CST/ this morning to 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Friday, Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. Saturday, Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ KSZ003-004-016-NEZ081-162200- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.260116T1500Z-260117T0100Z/ Decatur-Norton-Graham-Red Willow- 236 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 003, 004, 016, AND 081... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 003 Decatur, 004 Norton, 016 Graham and 081 Red Willow. * TIMING...From 9 AM this morning to 7 PM CST this evening. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 15 to 20 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
118 WWUS83 KGLD 162005 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 105 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 COZ252>254-KSZ001-002-013>015-027>029-041-042-NEZ079-080-170415- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Wallace- Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- 105 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /205 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 252, 253, AND 254... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 252, 253, AND 254... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 015 Sheridan, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Friday, Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. Saturday, Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ KSZ003-004-016-NEZ081-170100- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ Decatur-Norton-Graham-Red Willow- 205 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 003, 004, 016, AND 081... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 003 Decatur, 004 Norton, 016 Graham and 081 Red Willow. * TIMING...Until 7 PM CST this evening. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...15 to 20 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
181 WWUS83 KGLD 162321 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 421 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 KSZ004-016-170030- /O.CAN.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ Norton-Graham- 521 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 004 AND 016... The National Weather Service in Goodland has cancelled the Red Flag Warning. Humidity continues to increase and wind gusts are lowering across Graham and Norton counties resulting in critical fire weather no longer being a concern for those counties. Elsewhere the Red Flag Warning remains. $$ COZ252>254-KSZ001-002-013>015-027>029-041-042-NEZ079-080-170730- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Wallace- Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- 421 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /521 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 252, 253, AND 254... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 015, 027, 028, 029, 041, 042, 079, 080, 252, 253, AND 254... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 015 Sheridan, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 14 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ KSZ003-NEZ081-170100- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ Decatur-Red Willow- 521 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 003 AND 081... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 003 Decatur and 081 Red Willow. * TIMING...Until 7 PM CST this evening. * WINDS...Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 21 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
483 WWUS83 KGLD 170013 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 513 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...Fire Weather Watch Remains for Saturday. Red Flag Warning cancelled for Dundy, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Decatur, Sheridan and Gove counties... .Conditions are improving with wind and humidity resulting in the early cancellation of some of the counties in today's Red Flag Warning. KSZ015-029-NEZ079-080-170815- /O.CAN.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ Sheridan-Gove-Dundy-Hitchcock- 513 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /613 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 015, 029, 079, AND 080... ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 015, 029, 079, AND 080... The National Weather Service in Goodland has cancelled the Red Flag Warning. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 015 Sheridan, 029 Gove, 079 Dundy and 080 Hitchcock. * TIMING...From Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ KSZ003-NEZ081-170115- /O.CAN.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ Decatur-Red Willow- 613 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 003 AND 081... The National Weather Service in Goodland has cancelled the Red Flag Warning. Humidity and winds are improving across the area which has lowered the concern for widespread critical fire weather. Remain aware for wind gusts of 35-50 mph overnight. $$ COZ252>254-KSZ001-002-013-014-027-028-041-042-170815- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Sherman-Thomas-Wallace-Logan- Greeley-Wichita- 513 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /613 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 027, 028, 041, 042, 252, 253, AND 254... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 027, 028, 041, 042, 252, 253, AND 254... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 6 PM MST /7 PM CST/ this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
565 WWUS83 KGLD 170101 RFWGLD URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Goodland KS 601 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...Red Flag Warning for today has expired; Fire Weather Watch Remains for Saturday... .Conditions continue to improve across the area leading to the on time expiration of the today's Red Flag Warning. COZ252>254-KSZ001-002-013-014-027-028-041-042-170915- /O.EXP.KGLD.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260117T0100Z/ /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Sherman-Thomas-Wallace-Logan- Greeley-Wichita- 601 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /701 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 027, 028, 041, 042, 252, 253, AND 254... ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 001, 002, 013, 014, 027, 028, 041, 042, 252, 253, AND 254... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne, 002 Rawlins, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 041 Greeley, 042 Wichita, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne. * TIMING...From Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. 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. && $$ KSZ015-029-NEZ079-080-170915- /O.CON.KGLD.FW.A.0003.260117T1500Z-260118T0100Z/ Sheridan-Gove-Dundy-Hitchcock- 601 PM MST Fri Jan 16 2026 /701 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026/ ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 015, 029, 079, AND 080... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 015 Sheridan, 029 Gove, 079 Dundy and 080 Hitchcock. * TIMING...From Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. * WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop may rapidly grow and spread out of control. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit http://weather.gov/goodland
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Jan 15, 10:22 AM MST, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Critical fire weather conditions are expected Thursday in parts of northeast Colorado and along the Kansas and Colorado border area. A Red Flag Warning is in effect.
- Damaging wind gusts are likely on Friday with northwest winds gusting 60-75 mph Friday morning through Friday afternoon. Blowing dust, including localized but extremely hazardous dust storms, may also develop. Any fires that ignite will have explosive growth potential due to strong winds and low humidity.
- Saturday also has the potential for strong winds, blowing dust and wild fires. While the wind is not expected to be as high as Friday, gusts over 60 mph will be possible in the afternoon, particularly in northeast Colorado and west of Highway 25 in Kansas and Nebraska.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 15, 10:22 AM MST, 2 hours 34 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1022 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Critical fire weather conditions are expected Thursday in
parts of northeast Colorado and along the Kansas and Colorado
border area. A Red Flag Warning is in effect.
- Damaging wind gusts are likely on Friday with northwest winds
gusting 60-75 mph Friday morning through Friday afternoon.
Blowing dust, including localized but extremely hazardous dust
storms, may also develop. Any fires that ignite will have
explosive growth potential due to strong winds and low
humidity.
- Saturday also has the potential for strong winds, blowing dust
and wild fires. While the wind is not expected to be as high
as Friday, gusts over 60 mph will be possible in the
afternoon, particularly in northeast Colorado and west of
Highway 25 in Kansas and Nebraska.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 328 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026
Today, an upper trough is forecast to push into the Northern Plains
and push a low pressure system and cold front through the area.
Early this morning, the low pressure was observed to be over most of
the area. As the day progresses, the low should shift south and help
strengthen the pressure gradient. This should increase winds to
around 20-30 mph with gusts around 30-40 mph, highest around the Tri-
State border area. With dry air in place across the area, sunny
skies with highs in the 60s are forecast. This should allow relative
humidity to drop into the teens and reach critical levels for some
counties around the Colorado border. With this, Eastern Colorado
along with Sherman and Wallace counties are in a Red Flag Warning
where critical conditions are likely to occur through the late
morning and afternoon hours. The surrounding counties that were in
the Fire Weather Watch were not upgraded as confidence wasn't high
enough (about 60%) that the relative humidity of 15% or less would
be present for 3 hours or more. That being said, most of the area
should see high fire danger today, so burning is not advised.
This evening and into tonight, the colder air with the cold front is
forecast to move through the area, roughly around 9pm MT to 2am MT.
In spite of the inversion forecast to be in place, winds should
increase again with speeds around 20-30 mph and gusts mainly around
50 mph. It wouldn't be unreasonable for a few isolated gusts to 60-
65 mph with winds around 850-700mb forecast to be around 55-60 kts.
However, widespread gusts aren't expected as the winds are stronger
close to 700mb, which may be too high for the front to mix out. The
main thing to watch is the possibility for light precipitation along
the frontal edge. While the moisture isn't forecast to be enough to
lead to appreciable impacts, there is the chance the precipitation
may mix down stronger winds. If this does occur, wind gusts of 60-75
mph with max around 80-85 mph becomes more likely, similar to the
frontal passage on December 17th. This looks to be about a 20%
possibility. As for temperatures, temperatures will likely stay in
the 30s/40s until late in the night when they should bottom out in
the 20s closer to sunrise.
Friday, the upper trough is forecast to expand in the Great Lakes
Region while the Tri-State area is largely under surface high
pressure. With the cold air mass in place, temperatures are forecast
to max out in the 30s. The High Wind Watch and Fire Weather Watch
remain in effect as strong winds around 30-40 mph and gusts of 55-70
mph are forecast with the area in the strong height gradient on the
back side of the trough. While drier air is forecast to move in, it
remains unclear if relative humidity will drop low enough for
critical conditions, especially with temperatures trending down.
That being said, the area may be able to see GFDI values of 60 or
higher, which suggests fires would grow rapidly and could still
warrant a Red Flag Warning. As for the High Wind Watch, it remains a
watch for now as there is only about 60-70% confidence that winds
would truly gust 60+ mph. The issue is that the trough may broaden
as a reinforcing shortwave moves through, which would push the
stronger pressure and height gradients out of the area a bit while
weakening the gradients. In this case, wind gusts would be more
around 50-60 mph. Conversely, there remains a 10% chance that wind
gusts could exceed 75 mph if the upper trough becomes a bit more
narrow and strengthens the height gradients. The reason this chance
is low is that the shortwave moving through the trough is suggested
in most guidance, which would weaken the gradients as mentioned
above. In any of the cases, blowing dust remains a concern with the
strong winds. Low level lapse-rates remain forecast to be around 8-9
C/km with mostly sunny skies forecast which would support lofting
dust. The saving grace may be that mixing heights are forecast to be
closer to 3km, which would mix most of the dust out and hinder the
ability for it to be concentrated. Still, areas near open fields may
experience brownout conditions. If the cloud cover also moves in and
caps things a bit more, the blowing dust would be more concentrated
with more reductions in visibility. The dust would likely be blow as
plumes, not as a wall of dust.
Friday night, the reinforcing shortwave should drag the trough
closer to the area and allow for a colder air mass and higher
pressure to move into the area. Winds should still weaken quite a
bit compared to earlier Friday, but still have speeds around 20 mph
with gusts of 25-40 mph. In spite of the winds mixing the lower
atmosphere, the cold air advection should win out and cool
temperatures into the teens.
Saturday, the area should remain squarely under the cold air mass
and higher surface pressure. With this, temperatures are forecast to
be in the teens and 20s for most of the day with a few 30s possible
if the sun can break through the clouds. The trough is forecast to
broaden out through the day, slowly pushing the stronger height
gradients out of the area while the pressure gradient slowly weakens
from the daytime heating. With this Saturday should still see
somewhat strong winds with the forecast currently for northwest
winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 30-50 mph. This could get a bit
stronger if the trough doesn't broaden or move over the area as much
as forecast. Critical fire weather conditions will remain a concern
as even drier air will likely be in place, but the colder
temperatures may be enough to offset it similar to Friday. Blowing
dust is also another concern, but the slightly weaker winds and
lesser sunshine may inhibit the dust from really lifting and
becoming more organized.
Saturday night, the winds are finally forecast to lower as the upper
trough is forecast to shift east and relax the height and pressure
gradients over the area. As the inversion sets up, winds are
forecast to become light. The issue with the lighter winds is that
the mostly clear skies should help temperatures lower into the
single digits and low teens. Be aware that wind chills may drop into
the negative single digits.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 215 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026
Sunday is another windy day as we remain on the back side of a Great
Lakes trough and ahead of a amplified ridge in the Pacific
Northwest. This places us under a strong northwest flow with winds
up to 15-25 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. Yuma and Kit Carson county
are forecast to have the highest winds from 25-30 mph and gusts up
to 45 mph. The NBM is showing a 30% probability of gusts around 45
mph to occur for these counties. Grassland Fire Danger Index (GFDI)
values for Yuma and Kit Carson county hover between 20-35. Relative
humidity values (RH) for the county warning area (CWA) fall to the
lower 20s. Depending on how the high wind events Friday and Saturday
play out, fire weather could be a concern Sunday, particularly for
Yuma and Kit Carson counties. High winds could further lower RH
values and approach critical fire weather conditions. Expect sunny
skies with high temperatures forecast in the 50s and lows in the
upper teens.
Overnight into Monday, a cold front from the north passes through
the region dropping high temperatures to the 40s and bringing a
slight chance for precipitation. Most of the models are showing no
precipitation with this frontal passage, but a small number of the
GEFS ensemble members are showing precipitation. Probability of
Precipitation (PoPs) are from 5-15% for the CWA. Winds are forecast
to be mild and variable with gusts around 25 mph.
Tuesday and Wednesday, we enter a more zonal pattern and high
temperatures are back in the 50s. Lows are in the upper teens/low
20s. Winds are forecast to be mild and variable with gust up to 25
mph for our Colorado counties.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1018 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026
Northwest winds will gust to the 30-40kt range through the rest
of the day, decreasing after sunset. VFR conditions persist
through the evening. Heading into tonight, a cold front pushes
into the region, kicking up winds from north to northwest. LLWS
is expected to develop from around the time of the FROPA to the
end of the TAF period. Some patchy blowing dust will be possible
during the daytime hours Friday.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 631 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026
For today, the Red Flag Warning has been confined to Eastern
Colorado along with Sherman and Wallace counties in Kansas.
These counties are the most likely to see relative humidity
drop to around 13-15% as drier air is forecast to push in with
the west/northwesterly winds. The surrounding counties to the
east may be able to see briefly critical conditions, but even
the minimum on the HREF ensemble didn't have the low RH reaching
that far east, event if temperatures did warm a few degrees
above the forecast. The critical conditions should end close to
sunset as temperatures begin to cool.
Tonight, while critical fire weather conditions are not
currently forecast, a cold front is forecast to push through the
area. This front may be similar to last month (Dec 17th) where
it produces a few strong wind gusts around 60-70 mph with
accompanying showers. Unfortunately these showers are not
expected to provide enough accumulation to hinder fires. There
could also be a brief warming and drying trend ahead of the
front that makes fires starts a bit more favorable. On a
positive note, a sharp shift in wind direction is not expected
as winds may just go from out of the west, back to out of the
northwest.
Friday, temperatures continue to trend down, which has been
increasing relative humidity and lowering GFDI. That being
said, the Fire Weather Watch remains in effect as winds could
sustain closer to 40 mph and allow GFDI to remain above 60. On
top of this, there is the possibility that the sun may be able
to heat temperatures enough to lower relative humidity to 15% or
less. Either way, fires will likely spread very rapidly
tomorrow. Winds are forecast to remain from the northwest
through the day.
&&
.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Red Flag Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for KSZ013-027.
Fire Weather Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon
for KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042.
High Wind Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon for
KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042.
CO...Red Flag Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ252>254.
Fire Weather Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon
for COZ252>254.
High Wind Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon for
COZ090>092.
NE...Fire Weather Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon
for NEZ079>081.
High Wind Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon for
NEZ079>081.
&&
SHORT TERM...KAK
LONG TERM...KAK/Rhoades
AVIATION...ANW
FIRE WEATHER...KAKHazardous weather outlook, Jan 15, 1:26 AM MST, 11 hours 30 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 126 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-160830- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 126 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026 /226 AM CST Thu Jan 15 2026/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Eastern Colorado, along with Sherman and Wallace counties in Kansas. Low relative humidity and wind gusts from the northwest of 30 to 40 mph are forecast to lead to increased fire danger. Fires will spread rapidly and be hard to control. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... Friday, a High Wind Watch and Fire Weather Watch remain in effect. Northwest winds potentially gusting 60-75 mph and dry conditions could lead to hazardous travel conditions, rapid fire spread, and blowing dust with visibility potentially below 1 mile at times. Saturday also has the potential for strong winds, blowing dust and wild fires. While the wind is not expected to be as high as Friday, gusts over 60 mph will be possible in the afternoon, particularly in northeast Colorado and west of Highway 25 in Kansas and Nebraska. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Active weather across portions of the Tri-State Area is anticipated. Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Goodland, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15, 10:43 AM MST | High Wind Warning | GLD | Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Yuma | 30 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Kansas, 2026Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 2026Red Flag Warnings in Nebraska, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026
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.