Thunderstorm forecast for Tri-Cities, upping fire danger. Red flag warning issued

Thunderstorms could pass over the Tri-Cities area Monday, with lightning strikes expected along the storm’s path from the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains to the Blue Mountains of Washington, says the National Weather Service.

A red flag fire warning has been issued for most of southeast Washington state until 8 p.m. Monday.

In addition to possible lightning strikes, humidity is low and gusty west winds are forecast.

The fire danger rating in the Tri-Cities area was increased to “extreme” last week, with possible thunderstorms adding to the risk Monday.

In the Tri-Cities a 40% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast until 2 p.m. Monday. Wind gusts of up to 18 mph are expected.

Any fire that starts could spread rapidly and control would be difficult, according to the weather service.

Temperatures are cooling some this week after reaching 100 Saturday and 102 Sunday in the Tri-Cities.

Monday is forecast to have the lowest temperature of the week at 90 degrees.

Highs are expected to rise through the week to reach 100 on Saturday and Sunday, according to the weather service.

Lows are forecast in the low 60s, increasing to the mid 60s on the weekend.

July is typically the hottest month of the year for the Tri-Cities, with a normal mean high temperature of 92.5 degrees and a low of nearly 57.

This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 7:52 AM.