LIGHTNING IN AND NEAR CASCADES THROUGH THIS EVENING. Thunderstorms will persist at times through this evening over portions of the east slopes of the Cascades to the Okanogan Highlands. Abundant lightning with frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes is expected. Thunderstorms will bring the potential for strong outflow winds. Lightning is expected to result in new fire starts and outflow winds may result in rapid fire spread of any new or ongoing fires. * Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 698 East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 699 Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699), Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone 703) and Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Thunderstorms: Abundant lightning with frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes. A brief lull in lighting activity may occur late this morning and early afternoon. * Outflow Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds of up to 40 mph will be possible. * Impacts: Lightning may result in new fire starts. Gusty outflow winds will be capable of rapid fire spread and causing erratic wind directions.
