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.

* Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699).

* Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph possible in any thunderstorms.

* Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Saturday.

* Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent.

* 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.