Severe storms hitting central Washington this afternoon, evening

MOSES LAKE — The National Weather Service has issued a release warning residents of northern Oregon and eastern Washington of impending severe storms forecast for this afternoon. Extremely heavy rains, frequent lightning and very large hail are possible with the potential for supercell development and risk of tornado possible in the Tri-Cities area.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 3 threat for parts of central and eastern Washington into north-central Oregon, including Moses Lake, Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities, and Bend, Oregon. The NOAA said the Level 3 threat is the first one issued for Washington or Oregon since the scale came into place in 2014.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect in central Washington from 5 p.m. today through midnight, with the potential for quick flooding from heavy rainfall. Showers and thunderstorms are expected near Moses Lake after 5 p.m., with northwest winds between 11 and 14 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation for this afternoon is around 80 percent, growing to 90 percent this evening.

Winds are expected to pick up this evening, with speeds expected between 16 and 21 mph. Gusts from the storm could be more than 40 mph. Patchy blowing dust is expected until 11 p.m.

Temperatures and highs are expected to be cooler tomorrow and Monday as the warm weather system subsides.