Four Lakes Severe Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories
Select the Advisory Below for Details
Begins: 1:00 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2025Expires: 11:00 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2025
FIRE WEATHER WATCH
Begins: 1:00 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2025
Expires: 11:00 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2025
...VIGOROUS DRY COLD FRONT PASSAGE ON THURSDAY...
.A dry cold front will sweep across the Inland Northwest Thursday
afternoon and evening. Winds will increase through the day with
gusty westerly winds by the afternoon. Winds will see a shift from
west-southwest to west-northwest across north central Washington
late afternoon to early evening. Winds will remain gusty along
the east slopes of the central Cascade Mountains through Thursday
night with dry air mixing down and fair to poor relative humidity
recovery on mid slopes and ridge tops.
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather
Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from
Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.
* Affected Area: East Portion of North Cascades National
Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East
Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Okanogan Valley (Zone
703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central
Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706),
Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -
Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake
River (Zone 709).
* Winds: West 12 to 18 mph with gusts up to 25 to 30 mph. Exposed
ridges along the east slopes of the Cascades to the Waterville
Plateau will see west winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 to
40 mph.
* Relative Humidities: 12 to 19 percent at lower elevations below
3000 feet and 19 to 28 percent in the higher terrain above 3000
feet.
* Impacts: Rapid fire spread for any new or ongoing fires.
What is the difference between a weather warning, watch and advisory?
The National Weather Service issues alerts in different categories to indicate the severity of storms and if the public should take immediate action to prevent the loss of life or property or be aware of the potential of the same.
Weather Warning
A weather warning is issued when severe weather conditions are occuring or imminent and there is danger to life and/or property. The warning will include what action should be taken including evacuation or shelter in place and should be heeded immediately. Warnings are usually issued for a small, specific area and for a definite period of time.
Weather Watch
A weather watch is an alert issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. A weather watch means that severe weather is possible in the area, so it is important to stay tuned to the latest forecasts and be prepared for potential storms.
The purpose of a weather watch is to provide advance warning to people in the affected area so that they can take necessary precautions. It is important to remember that a weather watch does not mean that severe weather will definitely occur, but simply that there is a higher chance of it happening.
If you live in an area where severe weather is common, it may be wise to have a plan in place for what you will do if a storm hits. Make sure you have plenty of food and water stored, as well as flashlights, batteries, and other supplies. You may also want to consider evacuating if necessary.
Weather Advisory
An advisory means the conditions are likely to occur. These are typically used for less severe weather events like frost or winds but can be used for other types of severe weather.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fires and any fire which does start could spread rapidly. These are often issued after drought conditions, when humidity is very low and especially when there are high or erratic winds. The possibility of lightning is also a determining factor. Fire fighting agencies often will increase their staffing and equipment resources due to the forecast risk. For the public, a Red Flag Warning often means high fire danger leading to restrictions or bans on outdoor burning including burn piles, burn barrels and campfires. Use of anything which may produce sparks, including outdoor lawn equipment, chainsaws and welding, may be restricted or prohibited.
The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings vary with each Weather Service office’s warning area based on the local vegetation type, topography, and distance from major water sources. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed.
An enhanced version of the warning, called extreme red flag warning, may be issued. This means that conditions for fire growth and behavior are extremely dangerous due to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, long duration, and very dry fuels.
FIRE WEATHER WATCH
Begins: 1:00 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2025
Expires: 11:00 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2025
...VIGOROUS DRY COLD FRONT PASSAGE ON THURSDAY... .A dry cold front will sweep across the Inland Northwest Thursday afternoon and evening. Winds will increase through the day with gusty westerly winds by the afternoon. Winds will see a shift from west-southwest to west-northwest across north central Washington late afternoon to early evening. Winds will remain gusty along the east slopes of the central Cascade Mountains through Thursday night with dry air mixing down and fair to poor relative humidity recovery on mid slopes and ridge tops. The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * Affected Area: East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West 12 to 18 mph with gusts up to 25 to 30 mph. Exposed ridges along the east slopes of the Cascades to the Waterville Plateau will see west winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 19 percent at lower elevations below 3000 feet and 19 to 28 percent in the higher terrain above 3000 feet. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread for any new or ongoing fires.
What is the difference between a weather warning, watch and advisory?
The National Weather Service issues alerts in different categories to indicate the severity of storms and if the public should take immediate action to prevent the loss of life or property or be aware of the potential of the same.
Weather Warning
A weather warning is issued when severe weather conditions are occuring or imminent and there is danger to life and/or property. The warning will include what action should be taken including evacuation or shelter in place and should be heeded immediately. Warnings are usually issued for a small, specific area and for a definite period of time.
Weather Watch
A weather watch is an alert issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. A weather watch means that severe weather is possible in the area, so it is important to stay tuned to the latest forecasts and be prepared for potential storms.
The purpose of a weather watch is to provide advance warning to people in the affected area so that they can take necessary precautions. It is important to remember that a weather watch does not mean that severe weather will definitely occur, but simply that there is a higher chance of it happening.
If you live in an area where severe weather is common, it may be wise to have a plan in place for what you will do if a storm hits. Make sure you have plenty of food and water stored, as well as flashlights, batteries, and other supplies. You may also want to consider evacuating if necessary.
Weather Advisory
An advisory means the conditions are likely to occur. These are typically used for less severe weather events like frost or winds but can be used for other types of severe weather.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fires and any fire which does start could spread rapidly. These are often issued after drought conditions, when humidity is very low and especially when there are high or erratic winds. The possibility of lightning is also a determining factor. Fire fighting agencies often will increase their staffing and equipment resources due to the forecast risk. For the public, a Red Flag Warning often means high fire danger leading to restrictions or bans on outdoor burning including burn piles, burn barrels and campfires. Use of anything which may produce sparks, including outdoor lawn equipment, chainsaws and welding, may be restricted or prohibited.
The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings vary with each Weather Service office’s warning area based on the local vegetation type, topography, and distance from major water sources. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed.
An enhanced version of the warning, called extreme red flag warning, may be issued. This means that conditions for fire growth and behavior are extremely dangerous due to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, long duration, and very dry fuels.