The National Weather Service’s Spokane office has issued a hazardous weather outlook and red flag warning for much of central and eastern Washington. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase Thursday afternoon and evening, with brief heavy rain and hail. Stronger storms are possible with larger hail and gusty winds closer to the Blue Mountains.

From late evening the storms will change to rain showers and more isolated thunderstorms across north-central and eastern Washington and into northern Idaho. Rain showers with occasional thunderstorms are expected for Friday, lingering into Saturday. Locally heavy rain is possible across north-central and northeast Washington and into the Idaho panhandle. Check our FLOOD WATCH section for detailed information on flash flood preparedness.