Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning Issued for Western and Southwest Nebraska
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Nebraska as near-record temperatures and high winds create a particularly dangerous fire risk.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a Red Flag Warning, classified as a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” due to critical fire weather conditions. The alert was issued by NWS North Platte NE and is effective for Tuesday, February 17.
Affected Areas
The warning impacts the following regions in Nebraska:
- Fire Weather Zone 204: Eastern Panhandle and Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
- Fire Weather Zone 210: Frenchman Basin.
What You Should Do
Residents are advised to prepare for critical fire weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service, if fires start under these conditions, they will spread rapidly and will be extremely difficult to control. A Red Flag Warning indicates that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Expected Conditions
Weather officials are forecasting the following conditions for the affected areas:
- Temperatures: Near-record highs in the upper 60s to 70s.
- Wind: West winds sustained at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels as low as 10 to 15 percent.
- Lightning: No lightning is expected during this event.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is in effect on Tuesday, February 17, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST (Noon to 8:00 PM CST). This alert replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch, which is no longer in effect.
Source: NOAA Official Notice