August 16, 2024 2:00 p.m. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning in effect from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday for abundant lightning on dry fuels in much of the region.

The Warning area includes the Umpqua Basin, Umpqua National Forest, Southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains, and Western Rogue Basin including Illinois Valley.

Forecasters said abundant lightning on dry fuels could lead to numerous new fire starts. Gusty, shifting outflow winds could also result in changing fire behavior and spread. These winds could also present a danger to aircraft and ground personnel.

Forecasters said scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop Saturday afternoon and move from south to north through the area into Saturday evening. These storms will contain frequent and abundant cloud-to-ground lightning. Some of the stronger thunderstorms may contain strong to severe wind gusts and hail. Rainfall is expected with these storms and could be heavy at times.

Outflow winds may contain gusts up to 60 miles per hour. There is a 5 to 15 percent chance of one half to 1 inch diameter hail.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.

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