Rapid City, SD Weather Alerts

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR MUCH OF THE WESTERN SD PLAINS THROUGH
TUESDAY EVENING...

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR MUCH OF THE NORTHEASTERN WY PLAINS THROUGH
THIS EVENING...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected today through
tomorrow for much of the area.

Today, critical fire weather conditions are ongoing over portions
of northeastern Wyoming and much of western South Dakota.
Temperatures in the 90s, relative humidity values in the single
digits to lower teens, and sustained south to southwest winds of
15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph have been observed over
the last few hours. This includes portions of the northeastern
Wyoming plains not previously in a Red Flag Warning. Winds are
still expected to decrease in some of these locations this
afternoon, particularly western Crook County; however, critical
fire weather conditions will likely continue in the near term,
especially in the vicinity of any virga or showers that may lead
to locally enhanced wind gusts.

Tonight, winds will decrease from west to east, with winds
expected to fall below criteria across northeastern Wyoming. Over
western and central South Dakota, a developing low-level jet
should allow breezy and gusty winds to continue, along with
limiting relative humidity recovery. Although critical fire
weather conditions may briefly subside, very dry and gusty
conditions should persist, particularly from southwestern to south
central South Dakota. As such, the Red Flag Warning for western
South Dakota continues through tomorrow evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 322 Fall River County Area,
324 Eastern Foot Hills, 325 Custer County Plains, 326 Pine
Ridge Area, 328 Perkins County, 329 West Central Plains, 330
Ziebach County, 331 Haakon County Area, 332 Badlands Area, 333
Bennett County Area and 334 Mellette and Todd Counties.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low relative
humidity will produce critical fire weather conditions.

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures are expected.

* WHERE...Portions of northwestern, south central and
southwestern South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. This includes
the Tribal Lands of the Cheyenne River Reservation, the Pine
Ridge Reservation and the Rosebud Reservation.

* WHEN...From 11 PM MDT /midnight CDT/ this evening to 8 AM MDT
/9 AM CDT/ Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation.

Smoke from western Canada wildfires will continue to move
southeast into the area behind a passing cold front. Visibilities
will be reduced through the nighttime hours, as low as around one
mile in some areas, especially across northwest South Dakota. If
driving, slow down, use your low-beam headlights, and leave plenty
of distance ahead of you if you encounter thicker areas of smoke.
Individuals with respiratory problems should avoid excessive
physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities.