Washington Severe Fire Weather Watch | Effective 08/20/2026 15:17

Headline: 
Fire Weather Watch issued August 20 at 3:17PM PDT until August 23 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Event: 
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency: 
Future
Effective: 
August 20, 2026 - 3:17pm
Expires: 
August 21, 2026 - 3:00am
Description: 
...THUNDERSTORMS, GUSTY WINDS, AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY... .A strong trough with abundant moisture will usher in a cold front through the region from Saturday into Sunday. There is a risk for thunderstorms as well as strong south to southwest synoptic driven winds. This will lead to critical fire weather conditions across the region. * 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 Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699) and Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms Saturday through Sunday morning. * Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow wind gusts up to 50 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.
Instruction: 
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
Area Description: 
East Washington Central Cascades; East Portion of North Cascades National Park / Lake Chelan National Recreation Area; East Washington North Cascades; Okanogan Highlands & Kettle Mountains; Methow Valley
Forcast Office: 
NWS Spokane WA
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov