Monday, February 26, 2024

February 26, 2024 - Red Flag Warning Today

The Rapid City National Weather (NWS) Service Forecast Office has issued the following fire weather update:

Critical Fire Weather Conditions will develop today across parts of northeast Wyoming and southern South Dakota, generally near and south of I-90, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect. Near critical fire weather conditions are expected elsewhere (outside of snow covered grounds in the northern Black Hills).  Keep in mind that it is very unusual for widespread critical fire weather conditions to develop in February.

Expect southwest-west winds gusting to 45 mph within the Red Flag Warning area.  Winds outside of the warning will generally be gusting into the 25 to 35 mph range.  Relative Humidity will drop to as low as 15 percent across most of the area.

A cold front will sweep through the region this evening, with an abrupt wind shift to the north-northwest. Accumulating snow is expected to develop behind the cold front, especially across northeast WY and the Black Hills (see the latest Winter Weather Advisories).  However, the initial wind shift will be highly problematic for any ongoing fires.

 
 Updates will be posted to the NWS pages and can be found here:

nws.rapidcity@noaa.gov

605-341-7435 or
1-800-684-4163

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