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Recent lightning could lead to new wildfires in several northwestern states

Originally published at 3:18 p.m. PDT July 23, 2020

lightning 48 hour period map
Lightning during the 48-hour period ending at 2:29 p.m. PDT July 23, 2020. The red areas are the most recent.

During the last 48 hours thunderstorms with lightning moved across several states in the northwest leading to the possibility of new wildfire ignitions. Most heavily affected were northern and northeast California, southeast Oregon, the south half of Idaho, and western Montana. Precipitation accompanying the cells was spotty.

precipitation 48 hour period
Precipitation during the 48-hour period ending at 2 p.m. PDT July 23, 2020. NWS.

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