More lightning expected Tuesday evening
Aug 12, 2014, 5:49 AM | Updated: 6:36 pm
As many as 5,000 lightning strikes were recorded within a one hour period early Monday, according to KING 5 meteorologist Jeff Renner. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
More lightning is expected across the Puget Sound area Tuesday evening.
As many as 5,000 lightning strikes were recorded within a one hour period early Tuesday, according to KING 5 meteorologist Jeff Renner. He added that by Tuesday afternoon, there were about 1,000 to 1,300 strikes per hour across Washington state and that number was expected to ramp up.
A rare red flag warning for fire danger continues in Western Washington through Tuesday at 11 p.m.
The warning was prompted by a risk that lightning could start wildfires across much of the state, according to the National Weather Service.
The thunderstorms are also expected to be accompanied by gusty winds, hail and flash flooding, especially on lands already scorched by wildfires.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources expanded its current statewide burn ban to include all outdoor burning on DNR lands, without exception.
Forecasters say showers could linger over the Northwest into Wednesday.
If you felt uncomfortable in Monday’s record-breaking heat, the forecast for later in the week includes cooler conditions.
MyNorthwest.com’s Alyssa Kleven and Stephanie Klein, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
