Red Flag Warning 18, NWS Spokane, WA

526 
WWUS86 KOTX 120629
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1129 PM PDT Tue Aug 11 2026

A weather system will move through the area on Wednesday,
bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the region. These
thunderstorms will mainly be focused along the eastern slopes of
the Cascades and along the International Border. Lightning
strikes will have the potential to start new wildfires, and gusty
and erratic outflow winds could cause dangerous conditions around
new and existing wildfires.

IDZ101-WAZ696>706-130600-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0018.260812T1800Z-260813T0600Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
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 Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)-
Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)-
Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)-
Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-
Methow Valley (Zone 704)-
Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)-
Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-
1129 PM PDT Tue Aug 11 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT
WEDNESDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 696, 697,
698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, AND 706...

* Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 
  101), 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 Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 
  699), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), 
  Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville 
  Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow 
  Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades 
  (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be
  possible late morning through late evening Wednesday.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph will
  be possible.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
  dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

230 
WWUS86 KOTX 122005
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
105 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026

A weather system will move through the area on Wednesday into
early Thursday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to 
the region. These thunderstorms will mainly be focused along the 
East Slopes of the Cascades and northern mountains. Lightning 
strikes will have the potential to start new wildfires, and gusty 
and erratic outflow winds could cause dangerous conditions around 
new and existing wildfires.

IDZ101-WAZ699>702-130615-
/O.EXT.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T1500Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)-
Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)-
Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)-
Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-
105 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THURSDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 699, 700, 701, 702...

* Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 
  101), Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699), 
  Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), 
  Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701) and Colville 
  Reservation (Zone 702).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms through
  early Thursday morning.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow wind gusts up to 40 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
  dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.

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>698-703>706-130600-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T0600Z/
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)-
105 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698, 
703, 704, 705, AND 706...

* 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) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms through
  Wednesday evening.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow wind gusts up to 40 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
  dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires. 

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.

&&

$$

099 
WWUS86 KOTX 130555
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1055 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026

A weather system continues to move through the area into early 
Thursday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the 
region. Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new 
wildfires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.

WAZ696>698-703>706-130700-
/O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T0600Z/
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)-
1055 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, 698, 703, 704,
705, AND 706...

The threat has ended. There is still potential for an isolated
lightning strike into Thursday morning.

$$

IDZ101-WAZ699>702-131500-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T1500Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)-
Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)-
Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)-
Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-
1055 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THURSDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 699, 700, 701, 702...

* Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 
  101), Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699), 
  Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), 
  Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701) and Colville 
  Reservation (Zone 702).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms through
  early Thursday morning.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow wind gusts up to 40 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
  dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.


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.

&&

$$

305 
WWUS86 KOTX 131011
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
311 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

A weather system continues to move through the area Thursday, 
bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the region. 
Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new wildfires, 
and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause dangerous 
conditions around new and existing wildfires.

WAZ699-702-131115-
/O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T1500Z/
Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)-
Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-
311 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 699 AND 702...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red
Flag Warning.

Lightning has subsided in the area, thus the Red Flag Warning has
been cancelled. 

$$

WAZ696>698-140100-
/O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0019.260813T1900Z-260814T0500Z/
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)-
311 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM PDT THIS
EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND
698...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from noon today to
10 PM PDT this evening.

* 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).

* Thunderstorms: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday
  afternoon and evening. 

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow winds up to 30 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
  dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ101-WAZ700-701-131500-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T1500Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)-
Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)-
311 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THIS MORNING
FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, AND 701...

* Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 
  101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700) and 
  Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms through
  early Thursday morning.

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow winds up to 30 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause 
  dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.

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.

&&

$$

715 
WWUS86 KOTX 131444
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
744 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

A weather system continues to move through the area Thursday,
bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Cascades. 
Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new wildfires, 
and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause dangerous 
conditions around new and existing wildfires.

IDZ101-WAZ700-701-131545-
/O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260813T1500Z/
Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)-
Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)-
Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)-
744 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 AM PDT THIS MORNING FOR
THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, AND 701...


$$

WAZ696>698-140500-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0019.260813T1900Z-260814T0500Z/
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)-
744 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM
PDT THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS 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).

* Thunderstorms: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday
  afternoon and evening. 

* Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow winds up to 30 mph.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new
  fires, especially outside rain cores. Gusty and erratic outflow
  winds could cause dangerous conditions around new and existing
  wildfires. Pockets of heavier rain could result in debris flows
  on sensitive burn scars.

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.

&&

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
452 AM PDT Tue Aug 11 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Widespread smoke and haze will continue to impact the region.

- Elevated fire conditions continue through the first part of
  the week with potential breezy winds for portions of central
  Washington.

- Showers and Thunderstorm chances Wednesday through Thursday morning.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Widespread smoke and haze will continue to impact the region
over the next few days, especially in the vicinity of or
downwind of regional wildfires. A quasi-zonal upper level
pattern will continue through the first half of the week,
bringing periods of breezy westerly winds and some slightly
cooler temperatures to the region. A trough skirting by to the
north may bring some precipitaiton chances to northern portions
of the area by mid to late week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Tuesday and Tuesday night: The Inland NW will remain smokey but
relatively quiet one more day. A zonal/westerly flow will
persist, but a trough starts to dig along the Pacific NW coast
later tonight. Expect continued breezy conditions near the
Cascades and a thermal axis near the Cascades that could enhance
any fire growth there. Smoke from regional wildfires will continue
to spread from west to east, still coming from the more active
near the Cascades and north-central WA. Temperatures will reach
the 80s to low 90s.

Wednesday to Friday: A trough of low pressure will move into the
area this period. This will come with increasing moisture and
increasing iinstability as the cooler mid-level temperatures
arrives with the upper trough. Models paint 100-500 J/kg over the
Cascades to northeast WA and north ID Wednesday afternoon. ECMWF
lightning progs show a modest potential for thunderstorms across
the northern counties Wednesday afternoon, potentially
propagating east and southeast across the Columbia Basin later in
the afternoon to evening. This will come with the risk for
lightning caused fire starts and gusty outflow winds could also
bring spread of any new or existing fires, with those outflows
winds more apt to expand a modest distance away from the parent
t-storm. In addition, brief downpours and small hail will be
possible with t-storms. The best chance for wetting rains will be
in the northern counties. Confidence is low, but we will have to
watch for any debris flow with any downpours near some of these
burn scars. Winds will increase from the north later Wednesday
down the Okanogan Valley to western Basin, creating a more generic
elevated fire weather conditions. Temperatures will be in the 80s
to low 90s, with some upper 70s Thursday as the coolest day.

Heading into Thursday and Friday the area remains under the
unstable upper trough. So isolated to scattered showers and a
chance for t-storms will continue, though by this time largely
near the mountains. Some may slip across the northeast basin and
Palouse too. Wind will remain breezy over central WA.

Saturday to Monday: The Inland NW remains in a southwest flow and
in the possible path of continues impulses/shortwaves. Most of
these are directed toward the southeast CWA, bringing some shower
and isolated t-storm chances there this weekend. The risk expands
out the more of the mountains Monday, possibly the lowlands.
However these do not look like big precipitation producers.
Overall confidence is low, but we'll have to watch any of this for
any lightning impacts. Temperatures will be in the 80s to low
90s. /Solveig

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z TAFs: Smoke and haze from regional wildfires will continue
to bring reduced visibilities to the TAF sites at times. Winds
will be breezy through the Cascade gaps including at KEAT.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
in smoke and haze continuing to impact the area terminals, but
low confidence in extent of reduced vis/cigs.

-----------------------

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        87  55  84  54  82  53 /   0   0   0  20  10  10
Coeur d'Alene  86  54  84  53  81  52 /   0   0   0  20  30  20
Pullman        84  48  81  46  81  46 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Lewiston       91  60  88  60  87  60 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Colville       88  47  83  43  80  42 /   0   0  30  70  50  20
Sandpoint      83  49  80  46  75  45 /   0   0  10  60  50  10
Kellogg        83  53  81  52  77  50 /   0   0   0  10  30  10
Moses Lake     89  57  87  57  86  57 /   0   0   0  30   0  10
Wenatchee      90  63  86  62  85  64 /   0   0  10  50  10  10
Omak           90  61  85  56  85  57 /   0   0  20  50  20  10

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Air Quality Alert until 11 AM PDT Thursday for Central Chelan
     County-Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties-Moses Lake Area-
     Northeast Blue Mountains-Northeast Mountains-Okanogan
     Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Spokane Area-Upper Columbia
     Basin-Washington Palouse-Waterville Plateau-Wenatchee
     Area-Western Chelan County-Western Okanogan County.
ID...Air Quality Alert until 5 PM PDT Wednesday for Central
     Panhandle Mountains-Coeur d'Alene Area-Idaho Palouse-
     Lewis and Southern Nez Perce Counties-Lewiston Area-
     Northern Panhandle.

&&