Fire Weather Watch

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...

A ridge breakdown pattern will first bring an elevated threat for mountain thunderstorms across portions of central and north- central Washington tonight into Thursday night. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely.

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Saturday evening.

* Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707).

* Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday. Saturday, southwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Timing: Friday and Saturday afternoons.

* Relative Humidities: 13 to 23 percent Friday, 15 to 26 percent Saturday.

* Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday, and up to 94 Saturday.

* Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoons may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires.