Red Flag Warning

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY, AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY SATURDAY...

First, a ridge breakdown will continue to bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of North-Central Washington into late Thursday night. Then, drier and windier weather arrives Friday and Saturday with critical fire weather conditions likely.

* Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703).

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

* Winds: Friday winds - West/Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Saturday 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 evening. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires.