SPOKANE, WA — Thunderstorms were expected to build across southeast Washington Thursday afternoon and spread north through the Inland Northwest, bringing the main threat of damaging wind and a smaller chance of large hail.
Weather officials said some storms could produce gusts above 70 mph, with the strongest impacts most likely after storms organize and move north.
Storm timing and the main severe-weather threat
The National Weather Service said storms could begin forming around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and then track into eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle.
Spokane meteorologist Steven Van Horn said there is an 80%-plus chance of thunderstorms across the region, while the chance of severe impacts at any one point is 15% within a 25-mile radius.
Hail, flooding and wildfire burn scar concerns
Large hail was considered a greater concern earlier in the afternoon, before storms became more organized and wind-driven…