Washington Severe Fire Weather Watch | Effective 07/22/2026 14:12

Headline: 
Fire Weather Watch issued July 22 at 2:12PM PDT until July 25 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Event: 
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency: 
Future
Effective: 
July 22, 2026 - 2:12pm
Expires: 
July 23, 2026 - 8:00am
Description: 
...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY... A ridge breakdown pattern will first bring an elevated threat for mountain thunderstorms across portions of central and north- central Washington tonight into Thursday night. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely. The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 2 AM Thursday to 2 AM PDT Friday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for breezy winds and low humidity is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Saturday. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, there is an isolated threat for lightning late tonight into Thursday morning. Scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 94 in the valleys Saturday. * Lightning: A 5 to 10% chance of lightning overnight Wednesday night, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires.
Instruction: 
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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
Area Description: 
Okanogan Highlands & Kettle Mountains
Forcast Office: 
NWS Spokane WA