Red Flag Warning

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...

A ridge breakdown will first bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of central and north-central Washington today and tonight. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely.

* Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703) and Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705).

* Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible in any thunderstorms.

* Winds: Friday afternoon winds - West/Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - West/Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 30 to 40 mph.

* Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent.

* Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires.