Sunday high winds push red flag warning in Panhandle
A dry cold front will sweep through the region Sunday delivering strong, consistent winds and very dry conditions.
(Courtesy Photo)
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Sunday morning through Sunday evening across the Idaho Panhandle and northeastern Washington.
A dry cold front will sweep through the region Sunday delivering strong, consistent winds and very dry conditions. Winds will increase Sunday morning and remain strong through the afternoon. The air mass will be very dry so despite temperatures in the 60s and 70s, humidity levels will dip into the teens to mid twenties.
New and ongoing fires have the potential to spread rapidly. Additionally, it has been 30 to 60 days since the last wetting rain in portions of Central and Eastern Washington.
Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 101 Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle, Fire Weather Zone 701 Foothills of Northeast Washington and Fire Weather Zone 702 Colville Reservation.
Winds: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
Relative Humidity: 14 to 27%
Impacts: Risk of rapidly spreading fires.
Instructions: A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.