Fire Weather Watch

...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: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709).

* Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Timing: Late Saturday morning through Saturday evening.

* Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent across the lower elevations, with 23 to 35 percent at the higher elevations.

* Temperatures: Up to 93.

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