Red Flag Warning

...THUNDERSTORMS, GUSTY WINDS, AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY...

.A strong cold front will move through the region Saturday into Sunday, bringing a risk for thunderstorms and strong west to southwest winds. This will lead to critical fire weather conditions across the region.

* Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709).

* Winds: West to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Thunderstorms: Isolated thunderstorms may develop Saturday afternoon for zones 702 and 709. Gusty outflow winds are expected near thunderstorms.

* Relative Humidities: 17 to 25 percent.

* Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new fires with gusty outflow winds.