Red Flag Warning 20, NWS Spokane, WA

286 
WWUS86 KOTX 151828
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1128 AM PDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH SATURDAY...

.A system is moving into and will combine with a southerly push 
of monsoonal moisture, bringing scattered thunderstorms to this 
region this afternoon and evening. Locally heavy rain is possible 
but lightning remains a concern in an area that has been dry, 
especially away from the core of any heavy rain. Additionally, 
gusty outflow winds from any thunderstorms may impact new or 
existing wildfires.

WAZ709-160400-
/O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0020.260815T1900Z-260816T0400Z/
Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)-
1128 AM PDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 709...

* Affected Area: Lower Palouse  -Snake River (Zone 709).

* Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms Saturday
  afternoon and 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.

&&

$$

786 
WWUS86 KOTX 160354
RFWOTX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
854 PM PDT Sat Aug 15 2026


WAZ709-160500-
/O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260816T0400Z/
Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)-
854 PM PDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 709...

The threat has ended for the area.

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
539 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Continued thunderstorm chances focused over mountain areas
  through the weekend.

- Temperatures warm back into the mid 80s to mid 90s by Sunday.

- Drier air returns early to mid next week.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
A somewhat active pattern persists across the Inland Northwest
through the weekend and into early next week with continued
mountain thunderstorm chances each afternoon and evening.
Temperatures trend warmer through the weekend. A drier airmass
moves in by the middle of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Today through Sunday: The trough that brought afternoon and
evening thunderstorms to the mountain areas yesterday has begun
retrograding westward and off the PNW coast. This will result in
southwesterly flow, which will aid in keeping PWATs 100-150
percent above normal (0.9-1.2"). We will remain in this pattern
regime through the weekend and into early next week as the low
stays in place off the coast. Incoming weak shortwaves paired
with daytime heating and the added moisture will create chances
for thunderstorms each afternoon and evening. Tonight, there is
a 20-40 percent chance of thunderstorms focused along the
Cascades and the ID Panhandle, and current radar does show
thunderstorms moving towards the Cascades. Main impacts with
these thunderstorms will be gusty outflow winds, localized heavy
rainfall, and possible fire starts due to lightning. These
impacts will remain similar through the weekend. While fire
concerns are elevated due to lightning and gusty winds, the
added moisture will limit any major fire weather concerns.
Chances for thunderstorms will be similar on Saturday, but will
be further confined to the Cascades and far SE
Washington/Central ID. Thunderstorm chances will be further
limited on Saturday as the low moves further off the coast.

Monday through Friday: Monday through Tuesday, the trough
begins to move back towards the forecast area. This will bring
more widespread chances of precipitation, though largest chances
still remain confined to the ID Panhandle. Thunderstorm chances
continue through Tuesday, then taper off as a warmer and drier
air mass moves in. Currently, cluster analysis and long-term
models remain in disagreement over whether we will continue
seeing a cooler and wetter pattern or transition to a warmer and
drier pattern. Roughly half of the clusters show much of the
PNW in a drier and warmer pattern to end next week, while the
other half shows us continuing to see lower heights. This will
depend on whether the low off the west coast strengthens or
dissipates. Overall: expect unsettled weather conditions to
continue with chances of afternoon and evening thunderstorms in
mountain areas through early next week. Temperatures will remain
very close to or just below normal. /AS

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAFs: VFR and localized MVFR conditions are forecast, with
the MVFR conditions largely from smoke impacts. The main
potential for smoke will be near the Cascades and deeper basin,
such as KEAT and KMWH. An upper trough will linger over the area
tonight into Saturday, bringing isolated to scattered showers
and thunderstorms. Chance will be found near the Cascades and
northern mountains this evening, possible near KEAT. Saturday a
broader threat of showers will be found but these will be more
isolated in nature. Some may pass any TAF sites.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
in smoke and haze continuing to impact local terminals, but low
confidence in extent of reduced vis/cigs. Low confidence in
showers or thunderstorms at KEAT Friday evening and at all TAF
sites Saturday. This is the most impactful alternate scenario,
and would require amendments should any cells move through.

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

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        54  86  55  88  57  88 /   0   0  10   0   0   0
Coeur d'Alene  53  86  55  87  57  87 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Pullman        48  85  48  86  51  86 /   0  20  20   0   0   0
Lewiston       60  90  60  91  63  91 /   0  30  40   0  20  10
Colville       42  85  45  86  46  86 /   0  10  10   0   0   0
Sandpoint      46  82  49  83  49  83 /  10   0   0   0   0   0
Kellogg        51  83  53  83  55  83 /   0   0  10  10   0   0
Moses Lake     56  89  57  90  58  90 /   0  10  10   0   0   0
Wenatchee      64  87  65  89  66  90 /  10  10  10   0   0   0
Omak           57  88  60  89  60  90 /  10  10  20   0   0   0

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Air Quality Alert until noon PDT Tuesday for Central Chelan
     County-Okanogan Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Upper Columbia
     Basin-Waterville Plateau-Wenatchee Area-Western Chelan
     County-Western Okanogan County.
ID...Air Quality Alert until noon PDT Tuesday for Lewis and
     Southern Nez Perce Counties-Lewiston Area.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
339 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ044-142315-
Waterville Plateau WA-
339 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Douglas
County through 415 PM PDT...

At 339 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles east of Orondo, or 17 miles northeast of Wenatchee, moving east
at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Douglas and Alstown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4753 12008 4761 12008 4765 11983 4752 11985
TIME...MOT...LOC 2239Z 273DEG 16KT 4757 12002

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JCLEV

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
345 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ049-142315-
Western Okanogan County WA-
345 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Okanogan
County through 415 PM PDT...

At 345 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 21
miles east of Stehekin, or 30 miles west of Omak, moving east at 15
mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Twisp and Black Pine Lake Campground.

This includes U.S. Highway 20 in Washington between mile markers 197
and 207.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4831 12028 4837 12028 4848 12007 4830 11998
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 251DEG 15KT 4835 12019

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JCLEV

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
419 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ038-142345-
Okanogan Highlands WA-
419 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Ferry County
through 445 PM PDT...

At 417 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sherman Pass, or 45 miles east of Omak. This storm was nearly
stationary.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Ferry
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4852 11864 4859 11854 4849 11833 4839 11853
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 311DEG 4KT 4852 11854

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SB

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
431 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ043-049-150000-
Western Okanogan County WA-Okanogan Valley WA-
431 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Okanogan
County through 500 PM PDT...

At 429 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles northwest of Okanogan, or 13 miles west of Omak, moving east at
5 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Omak, Riverside, and Conconully.

This includes U.S. Highway 97 in Washington between mile markers 292
and 293, and between mile markers 299 and 306.

The torrential rain is likely to remain south of Conconully over the
higher terrain however outflow winds up to 35 mph will be possible
northeast and east of the storm along the Highway 97 corridor.

 PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4844 11988 4853 11990 4860 11952 4841 11949
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 267DEG 6KT 4848 11979

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SB

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
511 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ037-038-150115-
Northeast Mountains WA-Okanogan Highlands WA-
511 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Stevens
and east central Ferry Counties through 615 PM PDT...

At 511 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Sherman Pass, or 53 miles east of Omak, moving
east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lake Ellen Campground, Rice, and Inchelium.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4846 11847 4854 11843 4852 11805 4835 11811
TIME...MOT...LOC 0011Z 285DEG 12KT 4849 11836

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Solveig

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Spokane WA
640 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 PM     Debris Flow      15 NNE Plain            47.96N 120.54W
08/13/2026                   Chelan             WA   NWS Employee

            Safety officers from the CIMT had pictures
            of a debris flow along Entiat River Road at
            the Silver Falls Campground. Estimated 3 to
            8 inches of mud and several small logs in
            the road. The location is within the Little
            Giant burn scar. Time estimated.

&&

sgb