Red Flag Warning

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

A ridge breakdown will first bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of central and north-central Washington today and tonight. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely.

* Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697) and East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698).

* Winds: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday.

* Timing: A 5 to 15% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

* Lightning: A 5 to 15% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

* Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds.