Community Corner

Lightning Storms Possible Over Weekend, Fire Warning Issued

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, according to the National Weather Service.

There could be a chance of thunder and lightning storms this weekend in Bellevue and in much of western Washington, according to the National Weather Service. 

The weather service issued a Red Flag Warning from 6 p.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Saturday, which means a risk of fire for the area if scattered lightning ignites dry brush.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop, with the potential for lightning that could cause multiple fire starts, over the Cascades and Eastern Olympic mountains each afternoon and evening beginning Friday, Aug. 9. Some of storms and lightning could move into the Puget Sound area and southwest interior lowlands as well, the NWS said. This includes areas in King and Pierce counties that are east of Interstate 5 and below 1500 feet in elevation.

Watch for gusty and erratic winds with any thunderstorm, and the NWS notes that the strongest winds are typically at the leading edge of a storm.

From the NWS:

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. SCATTERED LIGHTNING IN DRY FUELS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MULTIPLE FIRE STARTS...ALONG WITH ERRATIC AND GUSTY WINDS. FIREFIGHTING AGENCIES WILL WANT TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

In Bellevue, the forecast for Saturday is a chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible Saturday night. Sunday, there is a chance of showers in the morning, according to the National Weather service.

Lisa Baumann contributed to this story.


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