HOT, DRY, AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS. .Hot, dry, and unstable conditions are forecast along the East Slopes of the Central and Northern Cascades as well as the Methow Valley Monday and Tuesday. In addition, we are monitoring the potential for isolated thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday afternoons that could result in new fire starts along with gusty outflow winds. The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for hot, dry, and unstable conditions, which is in effect from noon Monday to 9 PM PDT Tuesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.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) and Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon shifting to northwest in the evening, except gusty outflow winds near thunderstorms. * Timing: Afternoon and evening for both Monday and Tuesday. * Thunderstorms: A 5-10 percent chance of dry thunderstorms late Monday afternoon into the evening. A 20-25 percent chance of thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening mainly over the higher terrain. * Relative Humidities: Below 4000 feet: 13 to 20 percent. Above 4000 feet: 20 to 30 percent. * Temperatures: Below 4000 feet: 90 to 102 degrees. Above 4000 feet: 75 to 90 degrees. * Impacts: Hot, dry, unstable conditions may lead to rapid fire growth on any new or existing fires. Isolated thunderstorms will bring the potential for new fire starts, as well as gusty outflow winds.
