Red Flag Warning

...MONSOON MOISTURE WILL BRING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY...

.A push of monsoon moisture will bring scattered thunderstorms to the region Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. Lingering dry surface air will limit the rainfall amounts on Thursday, increasing concern for lightning ignitions.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 1 PM Thursday to 5 AM PDT Friday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 696 John Day Valley, 697 Central Blue Mountains, 698 Southern Blue Mountains and 699 Western Forested Blue Mountains.

* TIMING...From 1 PM Thursday to 5 AM PDT Friday.

* 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.