Alert archive / Nevada / Red Flag Warnings in 2026

Red Flag Warning 7, NWS Las Vegas, NV

September 11, 20264 counties in Nevada

NWS Las Vegas, NV issued this red flag warning at Sep 11, 2026, 10:58 AM PDT for 4 counties in Nevada. It took effect at Sep 12, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 13 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
Sep 11, 2026, 10:58 AM PDT (17:58 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 12, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT
Expired
Sep 13, 2026, 12:00 AM PDT
In force
13 hr
Issued by
NWS Las Vegas, NV

Counties Clark County, NV, Esmeralda County, NV, Lincoln County, NV, Nye County, NV

The radar

The Las Vegas radar (KESX), 215 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:56 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

Las Vegas, NV (KVEF), launched 12:00Z, 6.0 hours before the alert went out and 123 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, Las Vegas, NV at 12:00Z on 2026-09-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 699 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Las Vegas, NV at 12:00Z on 2026-09-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 69 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
699 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-211 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2778 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
69 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
43 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

463 
WWUS85 KVEF 111758
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1058 AM PDT Fri Sep 11 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT PDT
SATURDAY NIGHT DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ESMERALDA
AND NYE COUNTY DESERTS/CNC DISPATCH, NYE COUNTY DESERTS/LAS VEGAS
DISPATCH, SHEEP RANGE, SPRING MOUNTAINS, AND CLARK AND SW LINCOLN
COUNTY DESERTS/LAS VEGAS DISPATCH...

NVZ460-462>465-121200-
/O.UPG.KVEF.FW.A.0006.260912T1800Z-260913T0700Z/
/O.NEW.KVEF.FW.W.0007.260912T1800Z-260913T0700Z/
Esmeralda and Nye County Deserts/CNC Dispatch-Nye County
Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Clark and
SW Lincoln County Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-
1058 AM PDT Fri Sep 11 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT PDT
SATURDAY NIGHT...

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas NV has issued a Red Flag
Warning in effect from 11 AM Saturday to midnight PDT Saturday Night.

* AFFECTED AREA...In Nevada, Fire Weather Zones 460, 462, 463, 464,
  and 465.

* TIMING...From 11 AM Saturday to midnight PDT Saturday Night.

* WINDS...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 5 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
  burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Follow all fire restrictions. Avoid activities that could cause
sparks.

&&

$$

AN
4 follow-up statements
429 
WWUS85 KVEF 121127
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
427 AM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
ESMERALDA AND NYE COUNTY DESERTS/CNC DISPATCH, NYE COUNTY DESERTS/LAS
VEGAS DISPATCH, SHEEP RANGE, SPRING MOUNTAINS, AND CLARK AND SW
LINCOLN COUNTY DESERTS/LAS VEGAS DISPATCH...

NVZ460-462>465-121800-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0007.260912T1800Z-260913T0700Z/
Esmeralda and Nye County Deserts/CNC Dispatch-Nye County
Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Clark and
SW Lincoln County Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-
427 AM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...

* AFFECTED AREA...In Nevada, Fire Weather Zones 460, 462, 463, 464,
  and 465.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to midnight PDT tonight.

* WINDS...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 5 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
  burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Follow all fire restrictions. Avoid activities that could cause
sparks.

&&

$$

Meltzer
174 
WWUS85 KVEF 121756
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1056 AM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT DUE
TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ESMERALDA AND NYE COUNTY
DESERTS/CNC DISPATCH, NYE COUNTY DESERTS/LAS VEGAS DISPATCH, SHEEP
RANGE, SPRING MOUNTAINS, AND CLARK AND SW LINCOLN COUNTY DESERTS/LAS
VEGAS DISPATCH...

NVZ460-462>465-130700-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0007.260912T1800Z-260913T0700Z/
Esmeralda and Nye County Deserts/CNC Dispatch-Nye County
Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Clark and
SW Lincoln County Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-
1056 AM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...

* AFFECTED AREA...In Nevada, Fire Weather Zones 460, 462, 463, 464,
  and 465.

* TIMING...Now until midnight PDT tonight.

* WINDS...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 5 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
  burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Follow all fire restrictions. Avoid activities that could cause
sparks.

&&

$$
189 
WWUS85 KVEF 122001
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
101 PM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT DUE
TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ESMERALDA, SOUTHERN NYE,
SOUTHWESTERN LINCOLN, AND CLARK COUNTIES...

NVZ460-462>465-130700-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260913T0700Z/
Esmeralda and Nye County Deserts/CNC Dispatch-Nye County
Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Clark and
SW Lincoln County Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-
101 PM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...

* AFFECTED AREA...In Nevada, Fire Weather Zones 460, 462, 463, 464,
  and 465.

* TIMING...Until midnight PDT tonight.

* WINDS...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 5 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
  burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Follow all fire restrictions. Avoid activities that could cause
sparks.

&&

$$

JCS
523 
WWUS85 KVEF 130659
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1159 PM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

NVZ460-462>465-130800-
/O.EXP.KVEF.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260913T0700Z/
Esmeralda and Nye County Deserts/CNC Dispatch-Nye County
Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Clark and
SW Lincoln County Deserts/Las Vegas Dispatch-
1159 PM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...

The strong winds have decreased and the relative humidity has
increased above critical levels. Hence, the Red Flag Warning will be
allowed to expire.

$$

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 Las Vegas, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Sep 11, 10:52 AM PDT, 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • * Well above normal temperatures continue Friday, then temperatures drop 5-10 degrees this weekend. * Isolated convection possible in Northern Mojave and Lincoln Counties Friday. * Breezy south-southwesterly wind gusts expected across the region Friday through the weekend. With reduced humidities leading to fire weather concerns.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 11, 10:52 AM PDT, 6 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1052 AM PDT Fri Sep 11 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

*  Well above normal temperatures continue Friday, then temperatures
   drop 5-10 degrees this weekend.

*  Isolated convection possible in Northern Mojave and Lincoln
   Counties Friday.

*  Breezy south-southwesterly wind gusts expected across the
   region Friday through the weekend. With reduced humidities
   leading to fire weather concerns.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Through Early Next Week

While Thursday will likely have been the hottest day of the week,
well above normal temperatures continue Friday before temperatures
cool down this weekend by 5-10 degrees. A hot airmass is currently
in place across the region with 850mb temperature anomalies well
above normal for this time of year, supporting highs at or above 100
in desert valleys and in the CRV. The strong ridge which built in
overhead earlier in the week is showing signs of breaking down as a
trough pushes into the PNW. By Friday, the 500mb high shifts
southeast into AZ, then continues eastward through the weekend
becoming centered over Southern New Mexico while the PNW trough
pushes inland. Influence from the incoming trough, lowering upper
heights, and strong subsidence shifting out of the region should all
result in cooling surface temperatures across the Mojave Desert and
Great Basin. Low and mid level temperature anomalies still remain
above normal for this time of year, so still expect daily highs and
lows above normal as well...but not at the levels seen this past
week. Lingering monsoonal moisture will also help keep nighttime
lows elevated the next few days with lows in the 80s likely in
desert valleys, preventing much relief from the heat. By next week,
a persistent troughing pattern looks to set up over the west coast,
keeping southwesterly flow aloft locally and preventing strong
ridging from developing overhead. Medium to long range guidance
keeps low and mid level temperature anomalies and upper level height
anomalies near to slightly above normal for this time of year into
next week. This raises confidence that temperatures will continue to
run above normal by a few degrees for both highs and lows into the
extended period; however with Heat Risk remaining low to moderate,
not expecting dangerous heat conditions to return in this pattern.
Highs generally in the 90s with lows in the 70s can be expected in
desert valleys, the CRV, and death valley in the extended while
cooler temperatures are likely at higher elevations.

As mentioned above, lingering monsoonal moisture still remains in
place for portions of the region just ahead of the trough. Hi-res
guidance shows the potential for scattered convection in portions of
Lincoln and Mohave counties Friday as a weak disturbance passes
through. Added chance wording in the forecast to account for this
threat, but not expecting much impacts from anything that does
develop. Brief periods of heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds
possible with any storm that does develop.

The aforementioned trough pushing into the western US will also
increase southwest winds across the region. Guidance continues to
show a 40 kt mid level jet streak developing overhead Saturday into
Sunday. Mixing into this area of stronger winds will result in
widespread gusts mixing down to the surface 30-35 mph. There could
also be some gusty southerly winds impacting Lake Mohave and Lake
Havasu this weekend, which could impact boaters with winds and
waves. Since the low to mid level jet ramps up during the overnight
hours Friday and Saturday night, the strongest winds in the region
may occur in wind prone areas of San Bernardino county with the
nightly westerly push and also at higher elevations across the
region. Looking at today's Ensembles and NBM probabilities, all
guidance has kept the threat relatively low for gusts over 40mph.
While it does still look breezy with frequent gusts over 30mph,
latest trends lower confidence in frequent gusts over 40 mph and
the possibility of needing a wind advisory. Still will monitor
forecast trends through the week and will update the forecast
accordingly.

This coupled with very dry conditions has increase fire weather
concerns, with a Fire Weather Watch in effect for Nye, Esmeralda,
and portions of Lincoln and Clark counties for Saturday. Winds look
to reduce for Sunday but remain breezy. Longer term models are
starting to favor breezy winds peaking around 25 mph each afternoon
into the first half of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast
Package...Breezy southerly to southwesterly winds will continue
through the TAF period along with wind gusts in the 15 to 25 knot
range. VFR conditions will persist through the TAF period.
Temperatures will exceed through 02Z.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty southerly to
southwesterly winds will pick up across the region early this
afternoon with peak wind gusts in the 20 to 25 knot range for most
locations. Stronger, westerly winds are expected across the
western Mojave Desert, including KDAG, with peak gusts in the 25
to 30 knot range. Northwesterly winds in the northern Owens
Valley, will briefly increase out of the west later this afternoon
before shifting back to the northwest after sunset. FEW to SCT
mid and high clouds will filter through the area. Isolated
thunderstorms may develop this afternoon over parts of Mohave and
Lincoln counties, but these should not impact any terminals.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.

&&

DISCUSSION...Moore
AVIATION...Stessman

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:
https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Nevada, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.