Highest number of Red Flag Warnings for Nebraska in 16 years

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Storm Alert Team has been showing Red Flag Warnings for parts of Nebraska many days this year.  If you have thought the same, it is not far from the truth.

Winds have been high, air has been dry, and grasses have been brown throughout the state in 2022.  Nearly 62% of the state is classified as being in “Severe Drought” conditions per the latest Drought Monitor.  Due to those factors, the National Weather Service has been issuing Red Flag Warnings for various areas more frequently this year.

When looking at the data let’s look at the year-to-date (January 1 – April 15) number of Red Flag Warnings issued for Nebraska counties since 2006.  This year, seventy-six Red Flag Warnings have been issued.  That is the highest start to a year since 2006 and is 245% above the running five year average (31).  2022 is now running 10% ahead of the second highest year in 2012 when 69 Red Flag Warnings were issued.

The National Interagency Fire Center projects conditions will get better for the end of spring and beginning of summer in the Cornhusker state.  However, they also suggest “Above Normal” significant wildland fire potential will continue for April and return in July.

Red Flag Warning is a term that has been used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) since the 1960’s.