Red Flag warning issued for parts of Eastern Washington

Forecasters said windy weather is on the way Monday afternoon east of the Cascades.

A red-flag warning for fire danger from a combination of wind and low humidity was posted for the lower Columbia Basin and east slopes of the Cascades.

The red-flag warning is accompanied by a wind advisory for the east slopes of the Cascades, the western and lower Columbia Basin and parts of the Palouse.

West to northwest winds were expected to produce gusts of 40 to 50 mph as a steep pressure gradient sets up Monday afternoon and Tuesday from a low pressure system passing into northern Nevada.

Strong gusts had developed along Interstate 90 in the Ellensburg area by Monday afternoon.

Spokane will be on the edge of the winds with gusts to 24 mph late on Monday and into the morning Tuesday.

The National Weather Service warned about blowing dust reducing visibility, flying debris, risk to high-profile vehicles and rapid spread of any wild fires.