Fire Weather Watch

...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.

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Friday.

* Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706).

* Winds: Friday afternoon winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidities: 12 to 22 percent.

* Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires.