NOAA Current Watches-WA

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 2 PM this afternoon to 9 PM PDT this evening. * Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 706 Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 17 percent. * Impacts: Any new or existing fires will have the potential to spread rapidly.

...ISOLATED TO WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING... An offshore upper level trough will bring increasing instability and moisture across the area. Thunderstorms will begin to develop early in the afternoon on Wednesday 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. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 692 Blue Mountains of Washington and 693 Southeast Washington Grande Ronde Valley. * 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 offshore upper level trough will bring increasing instability and moisture across the area. Thunderstorms will begin to develop early in the afternoon on Wednesday 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. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 692 Blue Mountains of Washington and 693 Southeast Washington Grande Ronde Valley. * 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.

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes An Air Quality Alert, issued for all of Chelan County plus the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County as well as the Colville Reservation will remain in effect until further notice, due to expected smoke from the Pioneer Fire and other regional wildfires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Unhealthy and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups levels. Health Impacts and Recommended Actions: When air quality is Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Everyone should watch for symptoms as a sign to reduce exposure. Agricultural and outdoor burning restrictions are in effect.

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 708 Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Fire Weather Zone 709 Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Any new or existing fires will have the potential to spread rapidly.

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday. * Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone 703). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Any new or existing fires will have the potential to spread rapidly.

...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 2 PM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 692 Blue Mountains of Washington and 693 Southeast Washington Grande Ronde Valley. * 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.

* 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.

* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Kittitas Valley. * 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.

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.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 696 East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), Fire Weather Zone 697 East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), Fire Weather Zone 698 East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone 704) and Fire Weather Zone 705 Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph or more. Be prepared for the arrival of a dry cold front through the late afternoon. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent in the valleys and 25 to 35 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to gusty winds through the evening.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone 703). * Winds: South 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to gusty winds.

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes An Air Quality Alert, issued for all of Chelan County plus the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County as well as the Colville Reservation will remain in effect until further notice, due to expected smoke from the Pioneer Fire and other regional wildfires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Unhealthy and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups levels. Health Impacts and Recommended Actions: When air quality is Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Everyone should watch for symptoms as a sign to reduce exposure. Agricultural and outdoor burning restrictions are in effect.

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology An Air Quality Alert, issued for all of Chelan County plus the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County will remain in effect until further notice, due to expected smoke from the Pioneer Fire and other regional wildfires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Unhealthy and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups levels. Health Impacts and Recommended Actions: When air quality is Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Everyone should watch for symptoms as a sign to reduce exposure. Agricultural and outdoor burning restrictions are in effect.

* WHAT...Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Kittitas Valley. * WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to midnight PDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington. * WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to midnight PDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures up to 100 degrees. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness. * WHERE...Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Grande Ronde Valley, Wallowa County, John Day Basin, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Yakima Valley, and Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Washington. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 696 East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), Fire Weather Zone 697 East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), Fire Weather Zone 698 East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone 704) and Fire Weather Zone 705 Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph or more. Be prepared for the arrival of a dry cold front between 4 PM and 6 PM. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent in the valleys and 25 to 35 percent over the higher terrain. * Lightning: There is a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms over Chelan county prior to 9 AM. There is a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms across western and central Okanogan county between 6 AM and 11 AM followed by additional isolated lightning between 2 PM and 5 PM. * Impacts: Isolated thunderstorms will bring the risk for new fire starts and gusty and erratic outflow winds. Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to gusty winds Monday afternoon and evening.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone 703). * Winds: South 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 20 percent. * Lightning: There is 10% chance for thunderstorms over western and central Okanogan county between 6 AM and 11 AM followed by additional isolated lightning between 2 PM and 5 PM. Gusty outflow winds up to 35 mph possible. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to gusty winds. Isolated thunderstorms will bring the risk for new fire starts and gusty and erratic outflow winds.

* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures up to 100 degrees. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness. * WHERE...Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Grande Ronde Valley, Wallowa County, John Day Basin, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Yakima Valley, and Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Washington. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.