Fire Weather Watch

...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS THURSDAY NIGHT...

...GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS OKANOGAN AND METHOW VALLEYS FRIDAY...

.In Central Washington scattered showers and thunderstorms are tracking through Central WA this morning. This activity is expected become isolated going into the afternoon. Additional showers and storms will redevelop overnight. In Eastern Washington, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and track southwest to northeast into Thursday evening. A few storms could be strong during this time with frequent lightning and hail. Gusty outflow winds around 60 mph will be possible with this activity.

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for thunderstorms, which is in effect from Friday afternoon through Friday evening.

* Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703).

* Thunderstorms: Isolated to scattered coverage. A mix of wet and dry thunderstorms with rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch. Locally higher rainfall amounts possible where multiple storms move over the same area.

* Outflow Winds: Erratic outflow winds ranging from 20 to 40 mph.

* Winds: Thursday: North 10 to 20 mph becoming south 10 to 15 mph gusts 25 mph. Erratic winds near showers and thunderstorms. Friday: South 15 to 20 mph gusts 25 to 30 mph.

* Humidity: Thursday: 14-20%. Friday: 11-17%

* Impacts: New fire starts from lightning. New fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity on Friday could lead to swift fire spread with new or ongoing fires.