Red Flag Warning

...MONSOON MOISTURE WILL BRING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY THROUGH TOMORROW...

.A push of monsoon moisture will bring scattered thunderstorms to the region this afternoon into friday evening. Lingering dry surface air will limit the rainfall amounts today, increasing concern for lightning ignitions. Heavier rainfall is expected within rain cores with storms Friday, but lightning outside of rain cores continues to be a concern.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Fire Weather Watch for abundant lightning, which is in effect from Friday afternoon through Friday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 695 East Washington South Central Cascade Mountains.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM PDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Friday afternoon through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* THUNDERSTORMS...Scattered coverage with abundant lightning.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusty erratic winds up to 40 mph.