NOAA Current Watches-OR

* WHAT...Temperatures up to 101. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Idaho and northeast and southeast Oregon. * WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105. * WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Idaho and southeast Oregon. * WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...For Wednesday, lightning on dry fuels will increase the risk of new fire starts. Additionally, gusty outflow winds will allow for new and existing fires to grow rapidly. For Thursday, combined strong winds and low relative humidity can lead to rapid growth and spread of new and existing fires. * AFFECTED AREA...For Wednesday, in California...Eastern fire weather zone 285 and in Oregon...fire weather zone 625. For Thursday, nearly all of fire weather zones 285 and 625. * WEDNESDAY THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms with very little precipitation in the afternoon and evening. Lightning strikes outside of precipitation cores are possible. Strong, gusty outflow winds of 50 to 60 mph are possible in any of the stronger storms. * THURSDAY WIND...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * THURSDAY MINIMUM HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...Combined strong winds and low relative humidity can lead to rapid growth and spread of new and existing fires. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon...Fire weather zone 624. * WIND...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * MINIMUM HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...For Wednesday, lightning on dry fuels will increase the risk of new fire starts. Additionally, gusty outflow winds will allow for new and existing fires to grow rapidly. For Thursday, combined strong winds and low relative humidity can lead to rapid growth and spread of new and existing fires. * AFFECTED AREA...For Wednesday, in California...Eastern fire weather zone 285 and in Oregon...fire weather zone 625. For Thursday, nearly all of fire weather zones 285 and 625. * WEDNESDAY THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms with very little precipitation in the afternoon and evening. Lightning strikes outside of precipitation cores are possible. Strong, gusty outflow winds of 50 to 60 mph are possible in any of the stronger storms. * THURSDAY WIND...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * THURSDAY MINIMUM HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

* WHAT...Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible over the Falls, Cow Valley, Durkee burn scars. * WHERE...Fire burn scars in southeast Oregon, including Falls, Cow Valley, and Durkee. * WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms over the Falls, Cow Valley, Durkee burn scars is possible up to and during the period of the watch. Residents near the Falls, Cow Valley, Durkee burn scars should prepare for potential flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms could trigger flash flooding of low-lying areas, debris flows, and mud flows in and near recent wildfire burn scars. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall over the burn scars. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

...ISOLATED TO WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING... .An upper level trough offshore will be increasing instability and moisture across the area, especially across the Blue mountains. Thunderstorms will begin to develop early in the afternoon across south central Oregon, and move across eastern and northeastern Oregon as well as across far southeastern Washington throughout the afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms will be capable of strong outflows, small hail, and abundant lightning. The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Fire Weather Watch for abundant lightning, which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 643 Northern Blue Mountains along the eastern half, Oregon and 644 Central Blue Mountains mainly east of US 395 and the Battle Mountain Fire Complex. * IMPACTS...Any lightning strikes combined with hot and dry conditions could cause new fire starts. * THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to widely scattered. Lightning activity level of 2 to 3. * OUTFLOW WINDS...40 to 50 mph. Thunderstorm outflow winds may result in erratic fire spread.

...ISOLATED TO WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING... .An upper level trough offshore will be increasing instability and moisture across the area, especially across the Blue mountains. Thunderstorms will begin to develop early in the afternoon across south central Oregon, and move across eastern and northeastern Oregon as well as across far southeastern Washington throughout the afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms will be capable of strong outflows, small hail, and abundant lightning. The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from noon to 11 PM PDT Wednesday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 642 Southern Blue and Strawberry Mountains and 645 Wallowa District. * IMPACTS...Any lightning strikes combined with hot and dry conditions could cause new fire starts. * THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to widely scattered. Lightning activity level of 2 to 3. * OUTFLOW WINDS...45 to 60 mph. Thunderstorm outflow winds may result in erratic fire spread.

* WHAT...High concentration of smoke particulates from wildfire smoke. * WHERE...Baker, Harney, and Malheur Counties. * WHEN....AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL FRIDAY. * IMPACTS...Smoke can irritate the eyes, lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk to adverse health effects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ's Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Lightning on dry fuels will increase the risk of new fire starts. Additionally, gusty outflow winds will allow for new and existing fires to grow rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In CAZ285...Eastern fire weather zone 285. In ORZ625...Fire weather zone 625. * THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms with very little to no precipitation. Lightning strikes outside of precipitation cores are possible. * OUTFLOW WINDS...50 to 60 mph. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR WEDNESDAY AFT/EVE FOR LIGHTNING... .A cold front, along with plenty of moisture and upper level energy, will allow for scattered to numerous thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening across the entire area. Wind gusts 50-70 mph are possible. Winds behind the front will become moderate (15-25 mph with higher gusts) across southeast Oregon, adding to the concern. Storms will have wet cores with wetting rain likely, but most areas will see lower amounts. The National Weather Service in Boise has issued a Red Flag Warning for lightning, which is in effect from noon MDT /11 AM PDT/ Wednesday to midnight MDT /11 PM PDT/ Wednesday night. * Thunderstorms...Scattered to numerous. * Outflow Winds...50-70 mph possible. * Timing...From noon MDT /11 AM PDT/ Wednesday to midnight MDT /11 PM PDT/ Wednesday night.

* WHAT...High concentration of smoke particulates from wildfire smoke. * WHERE...Baker, Harney, and Malheur Counties. * WHEN...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. * IMPACTS...Smoke can irritate the eyes, lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk to adverse health effects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ's Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

* WHAT...Temperatures up to 101. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Idaho and northeast and southeast Oregon. * WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105. * WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Idaho and southeast Oregon. * WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington. * WHEN...Until midnight PDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory...until at least Wednesday. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and eastern Douglas counties due to numerous wildfires burning in the region. DEQ also expected intermittent smoke in Lake County through at least Wednesday due to smoke from the Diamond Complex Fire. The wildfire smoke combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: - Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. - Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality. - People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. - Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems. - Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. DEQs color-coded Air Quality Index provides current air quality conditions and ranks air quality as follows: Green is good. Yellow is moderate. Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions. Red is unhealthy for everyone. Purple is very unhealthy for all groups. Maroon is hazardous. For additional information...please visit the web site at https://oregonsmoke.org

Strong onshore flow has led to west winds gusting 35 to 45 mph this afternoon, which will continue into this evening. Locally stronger gusts of up to 65 mph have been observed in the most wind-prone locations. These winds will continue until about 8 PM, then gradually ease after sunset. Winds of this magnitude can blow around loose outdoor objects, so it is a good idea to secure them if possible. Some tree limbs may break, leading to isolated power outages this afternoon and evening.

At 216 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles southeast of Imnaha, or 26 miles east of Enterprise, moving east at 15 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of east central Wallowa County.

At 155 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Dooley Summit, or 15 miles south of Baker City, moving northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Northern portions of the Durkee Fire near 205 PM PDT Pleasant Valley around 210 PM PDT. Love Reservoir around 230 PM PDT.

...ABUNDANT LIGHTNING WITH STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS THIS AFTERNOON... * Thunderstorms...Scattered thunderstorms, especially near the Nevada border. * Outflow Winds...Outflow winds around 45-55 mph could extend far from the base of the storm near Durkee-Cow Valley-Falls Fires. * Timing...Until midnight MDT /11 PM PDT/ tonight.