Local News

Red Flag Warning Issued for Friday

NWS

Aug 08, 2019

SEVERAL ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE ACROSS EASTERN WASHINGTON AND NORTHERN IDAHO THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY...

.A series of weather disturbances will move through the region starting this afternoon and continuing into Saturday bringing

on and off thunderstorm chances. Storms capable of abundant lightning will start off dry and become much wetter by

late Saturday. Gusty outflow winds could accompany any storms and could enhance fire spread for any new ignitions. Crews

in the field should be vigilant for changing conditions over the next few days.

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM FRIDAY TO 5 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 684...685...

686...687...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 5 PM Friday to

5 PM PDT Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 684 East Washington Okanogan/Methow Valleys (Zone 684), Fire Weather Zone 685 East

Washington North Cascades (Zone 685), Fire Weather Zone 686 East Washington Northeast (Zone 686) and Fire Weather Zone 687

East Washington Okanogan Highlands (Zone 687).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered thunderstorms with abundant lightning will be possible starting Friday evening and into the overnight hours.

A second round of storms will arrive Saturday afternoon. Storms will become wet Saturday night.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty and erratic winds will be possible near any thunderstorms.

* Impacts: New fire starts are possible from lightning strikes which could be fanned from gusty winds. Fire personal should be vigilant

to on and off storms and outflow winds the next few days when deployed to any new incidents.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of

strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.