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.

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms, wind, and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM Saturday to 8 AM PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

* Timing of Thunderstorms: Best chances for thunderstorms are from 11 AM Saturday morning through 8 AM Sunday morning.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow winds up to 50 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause rapid spread of new and existing wildfires.

* General Winds: South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Timing of General Winds: Peak general winds will be seen from noon to 10 PM Saturday.

* Relative Humidities: 20 to 25 percent.

* Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires.