Alert archive / Washington / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 17, NWS Spokane, WA
NWS Spokane, WA issued this red flag warning at Aug 6, 2026, 10:36 AM PDT for 14 counties in Washington. It took effect at Aug 7, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 43 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 6, 2026, 10:36 AM PDT (17:36 UTC)
- In effect from
- Aug 7, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT
- Expired
- Aug 9, 2026, 6:00 AM PDT
- In force
- 43 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Spokane, WA
Counties Adams County, WA, Asotin County, WA, Chelan County, WA, Columbia County, WA, Douglas County, WA, Ferry County, WA, Garfield County, WA, Grant County, WA, Lincoln County, WA, Okanogan County, WA, Pend Oreille County, WA, Spokane County, WA, Stevens County, WA, Whitman County, WA
The radar
The Spokane radar (KOTX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:38 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Salem/Mcnary, OR (KSLE), launched 12:00Z, 5.6 hours before the alert went out and 454 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1821 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -13 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 12 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
799 WWUS86 KOTX 061736 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1036 AM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 A dry cold front will push toward the area Friday and push by Saturday, bringing breezy west to southwesterly winds. Winds will be strongest near the Cascades and Western Columbia Basin. Wind speeds on Friday and Saturday will be similar, with winds on Saturday becoming more widespread in the eastern Columbia Basin. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity values, poor to fair humidity recoveries at night, hot temperatures and dry fuels, this will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions. WAZ696>698-703>706-709-070145- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0011.260807T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0017.260807T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1036 AM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM FRIDAY TO 11 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698, 703, 704, 705, 706, AND 709... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Strongest winds Saturday. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent in the valleys and 20 to 30 percent in the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$ WAZ701-707-708-070145- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0011.260808T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0017.260807T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- 1036 AM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM FRIDAY TO 11 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 707, AND 708... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707) and Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 18 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ702-070145- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0011.260808T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 1036 AM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 18 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
6 follow-up statements
905 WWUS86 KOTX 070348 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 848 PM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 A dry cold front will push toward and through the area Friday and Saturday, bringing breezy west to southwesterly winds. Winds will be strongest near the Cascades and Western Columbia Basin. Wind speeds on Friday and Saturday will be similar, though winds on Saturday becoming more widespread in the eastern Columbia Basin. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity values, poor to fair humidity recoveries at night, hot temperatures and dry fuels, this will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions. WAZ696>698-701-703>709-071915- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.260807T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 848 PM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM FRIDAY TO 11 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698, 703, 704, 705, 706, AND 709... * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Southwest to west 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent in the valleys and 20 to 30 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$ WAZ702-071915- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0011.260808T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 848 PM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 19 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
813 WWUS86 KOTX 071840 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1140 AM PDT Fri Aug 7 2026 A dry cold front will push toward and through the area Friday and Saturday, bringing breezy west to southwesterly winds. Winds will be strongest near the Cascades and Western Columbia Basin. Wind speeds on Friday and Saturday will be similar, though winds on Saturday will be more widespread, expanding into the eastern Columbia Basin. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity values, poor to fair humidity recoveries at night, hot temperatures, and dry fuels, the winds will bring critical fire weather conditions. WAZ702-081000- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0011.260808T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ /O.EXB.KOTX.FW.W.0017.260808T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 1140 AM PDT Fri Aug 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Saturday. * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 18 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ696>698-701-703>709-081000- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T0600Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1140 AM PDT Fri Aug 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698, 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: For central Washington, west winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. For eastern Washington, southwest to west 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent in the valleys and 20 to 30 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$
602 WWUS86 KOTX 080921 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 221 AM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 A dry cold front will push through the area Saturday, bringing breezy west to southwesterly winds. Winds will be strongest near the Cascades and Western Columbia Basin Saturday evening. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity values, poor to fair humidity recoveries Saturday morning, hot temperatures, and very dry fuels, critical fire weather conditions are expected. WAZ703-081030- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T0600Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- 221 AM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 703... The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red Flag Warning. Winds will remain below critical levels during the day. $$ WAZ702-090600- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.260808T1800Z-260809T0600Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 221 AM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$ WAZ696>698-701-704>709-090600- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T0600Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 221 AM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698, 701, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: For central Washington, west-northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. For eastern Washington, southwest to west 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent in the valleys and 15 to 25 percent above 3000 feet. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
654 WWUS86 KOTX 082057 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 157 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 WAZ696>698-090600- /O.EXT.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T1300Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 157 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM PDT SUNDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698... * 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 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 24 percent in the valleys and 24 to 37 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$ WAZ702-090600- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T0600Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 157 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Southwest 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-704>709-090600- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T0600Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 157 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$
531 WWUS86 KOTX 090508 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1008 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 WAZ701-702-704>709-090615- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T0600Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1008 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, AND 709... The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red Flag Warning. Wind speeds have decrease below critical thresholds. While dry conditions are expected to continue, wind speeds are no longer anticipated to stay at a level that requires a red flag warning. $$ WAZ696>698-091300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T1300Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 1008 PM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM PDT SUNDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND 698... * 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 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 24 percent in the valleys and 24 to 37 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && $$
272 WWUS86 KOTX 091254 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 554 AM PDT Sun Aug 9 2026 WAZ696>698-091400- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260809T1300Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 554 AM PDT Sun Aug 9 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 AM PDT EARLY THIS MORNING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND 698... Winds have decreased below critical thresholds this morning. Cascade gap winds will return later this afternoon with west to northwest winds around 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, brining elevated fire weather conditions. $$
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Spokane, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Aug 6, 5:23 AM PDT, 5 hours 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Widespread smoke impacts will continue area wide, maintaining unhealthy air quality.
- Temperatures continue to rise with highs above normal through Friday. Both Thursday and Friday will be the warmest days this week. Smoke could impact high temperatures keeping it cooler than expected where smoke is thickest.
- Dry weather persists both Friday and Saturday with increasing winds. Strongest winds will be across portions of central Washington, but encompass most of eastern Washington by Saturday. This will bring elevated to critical fire weather conditions.
- Temperatures drop back toward normal this weekend into early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 6, 5:23 AM PDT, 5 hours 13 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
Aviation Update by National Weather Service Seattle
523 AM PDT Thu Aug 6 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Widespread smoke impacts will continue area wide, maintaining
unhealthy air quality.
- Temperatures continue to rise with highs above normal through
Friday. Both Thursday and Friday will be the warmest days this
week. Smoke could impact high temperatures keeping it cooler
than expected where smoke is thickest.
- Dry weather persists both Friday and Saturday with increasing
winds. Strongest winds will be across portions of central
Washington, but encompass most of eastern Washington by
Saturday. This will bring elevated to critical fire weather
conditions.
- Temperatures drop back toward normal this weekend into early
next week.
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure aloft will persist over the area through Friday
with very warm and dry conditions. Wildfire smoke will maintain
degraded air quality across the area. The smoke will be thick
enough in some areas to lower high temperatures by a few to
several degrees. Breezy winds across the area Friday into the
weekend will lead to increased fire weather concerns, notably
Friday and Saturday. Temperatures return closer to normal for
the start of next week with more/less zonal flow aloft.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Thursday: Broad ridge pattern will keep dry, warm conditions
over the region for the next several days. Winds will be light,
diurnal driven with strongest winds along the east side of the
Cascades. Wind gusts will be in the teens for the area. For
temperatures, highs will climb into the 90s with humidity in the
teens and brief periods single digits across the Basin.
Wildfire smoke will play a big part on the highs. It has been
causing the previous few days highs to run cooler than the
models. Overnight lows will be in the 50s to low 60s.
Friday and Saturday: The ridge axis shifts east and weakens and
brings a zonal flow pattern. Winds will increase as warm dry
conditions continue. Winds will be West with sustained speeds in
the teens and gusts into the 20 to 30 mph range. The strongest
winds are most likely to remain confined to portions of central
Washington including the east Cascade valleys and the Waterville
Plateau. There is around a 40-70% chance of wind gusts up to
30-35 mph in those locations in central WA Friday and
Saturday. One major difference from August 1 is the lack of
strong low level winds. 850-700mb winds are only reaching into
the 10-20 mph range compared to the 30-40 mph from August 1. It
is still an elevated to critical fire weather period due to the
continued hot and dry conditions with the breezy winds. Fire
Weather Watches have been issued for breezy westerly winds and
low relative humidity both Friday and Saturday. Highs will be in
the upper 80s and 90s with humidity in the teens to low 20s.
Overnight lows will be in the 50s to low 60s. Minimum relative
humidity will reach the 10-25% range with limited recovery
overnight.
Sunday through Monday: Cooler air mass will filter into the
region. Winds will remain diurnally driven with the potential
for some locally breezy winds through the Cascade gaps.There is
still no decent chance of of precip expected on for the period.
Highs will dip into the 80s. Lows will be in the upper 40s and
50s. /JDC
&&
.AVIATION...
12Z TAFs: Wildfire smoke will continue to be the primary impact to
aviation across the area. Visibilities at most terminals this
morning in the 5 to 7 sm range. Smoke layer causing ceilings between
4500 and 7000 feet. Visibilities diminishing later this morning into
the afternoon hours down to 3 to 5 sm. Ceilings lowering a little
too down to 3000 to 4500 feet. Conditions improving after 05z
Friday. Winds will remain relative light through much of the TAF
period (generally under 10 mph). Could see a little stronger winds,
10 to 15 mph, along the east slopes of the Cascades after 03z
Friday.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High
confidence in winds generally 10 kt or less for the next 24 hours.
High confidence for smoke creating impacts with reduced visibility.
Moderate confidence in periods of ceilings due to thicker smoke.
Felton
-----------------------
Confidence descriptors:
Low - Less than a 30 percent chance
Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance
High - Greater than a 70 percent chance
For additional probabilistic information for NWS Spokane airports,
please refer to the Aviation Dashboard on our webpage:
https:/www.weather.gov/otx/avndashboard
&&
.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
Spokane 93 55 94 59 92 60 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coeur d'Alene 92 55 93 57 91 58 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pullman 91 51 92 52 89 53 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lewiston 99 60 100 61 98 64 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Colville 94 50 95 51 93 53 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sandpoint 90 52 92 54 90 55 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kellogg 89 55 91 56 87 57 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Moses Lake 95 57 97 57 95 59 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wenatchee 96 65 97 65 95 66 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Omak 95 60 97 60 95 62 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
&&
.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Air Quality Alert until further notice for Adams, Asotin,
Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan,
Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman Counties.
Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Saturday
evening for East Portion of North Cascades National
Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)-East
Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)-East Washington
North Cascades (Zone 698)-Foothills of Central Washington
Cascades (Zone 705)-Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone
709)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-
Waterville Plateau (Zone 706).
Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday
evening for Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern
Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708)-
Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)-Western
Columbia Basin (Zone 707).
ID...Air Quality Alert until 4 PM PDT Friday for Boundary,
Bonner, Benewah, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis,
Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties
&&Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Washington, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.