Headline:
Red Flag Warning issued July 22 at 2:12PM PDT until July 24 at 2:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Event:
Red Flag Warning
Urgency:
Expected
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 winds and low humidity is in
effect from Friday morning through Saturday evening.
* Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone
704) and Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705).
* Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in
any thunderstorms Thursday. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to
30 mph Friday, windiest in Okanogan Valley. Saturday, winds 15
to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
* 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 Friday and Saturday afternoons.
* Relative Humidities: 13 to 21 percent Friday, 14 to 26 percent
Saturday.
* Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday, and up to 94 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 Valley; Methow Valley; Central Washington Cascade Foothills
Forcast Office:
NWS Spokane WA
Sender: