Red flag warning as dry lightning looms

August 30, 2017

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning to North Idaho and northeastern Washington from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Scattered dry thunderstorms are possible over North Idaho and northeastern Washington today as a disturbance tracking out of Oregon are expected to reach this area early this afternoon between 1 and 5 p.m. Thunderstorms will be dry in nature and bring a threat for gusty outflow winds on the order of 25 to 35 mph on average. Isolated stronger gusts cannot be ruled out. Any lightning strikes will lead to the potential for new fire starts. Gusty outflow winds could fan new ignitions. Any personnel on ongoing incidents should be prepared for lightning strikes and gusty outflow winds as these storms move through. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.