Red Flag Warning Issued for Jones, Lyman, and Buffalo Counties in South Dakota
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for south central South Dakota due to critical fire weather conditions expected Sunday afternoon.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Aberdeen has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert, which replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch, is effective for south central South Dakota.
Affected Areas
The following counties in South Dakota are included in the warning area:
- Jones
- Lyman
- Buffalo
What You Should Do
Residents are advised to prepare for critical fire weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service, any fires that ignite under these conditions will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or suppress. A Red Flag Warning means that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Expected Conditions
- Winds: Southwest winds ranging from 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 16 percent.
- Temperature: Warm temperatures are expected to contribute to the fire hazard.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST on Sunday, February 15. The alert was officially issued at 10:46 PM CST on February 14.
Source: NOAA Official Notice