Red Flag Warning
2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FRIDAY... Critical fire weather conditions over the northeast plains will gradually ease into this evening. Strong winds will redevelop in the foothills overnight, with high winds spreading slowly east across the nearby adjacent plains west of I-25 through the afternoon. Extremely high wind gusts of 85-100 mph combined with humidities dropping into the 10-20 percent range will create potential for fast moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Winds toward I-25 and eastward will be slower to develop, and also speeds will be considerably lighter. That said, gusts of 25-40 mph are still expected to combine with very low humidity and cured grasses to support critical fire weather conditions. Areas farther east into eastern Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, and Lincoln counties have more uncertainty if those winds even develop, so those locations remain under a Fire Weather Watch. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 239, 240, 241 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. * WINDS...West 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph or more immediately next to the foothills. Gusts closer to 40 mph along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a fast moving wildfire.


Cowlitz River River Levels

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

The Cowlitz River is a 105-mile-long river in southwestern Washington, originating from the glaciers of Mount Rainier National Park.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Cowlitz River was last observed at 91,880 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 182,242 acre-ft of water today; about 326% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 28,209 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2025-12-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at 100,500 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Cowlitz River At Castle Rock reporting a streamflow rate of 40,200 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Cowlitz River, with a gauge stage of 43.52 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Cowlitz River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,053 ft, the Cowlitz River At Packwood.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-18
Discharge Volume 182,242 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 91,880.0 cfs
+4300.0 cfs (+4.91%)
Percent of Normal 325.71%
Maximum 100,500.0 cfs
2025-12-11
Seasonal Avg 28,209 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Cowlitz River At Packwood
USGS 14226500
6780 cfs 4.83 ft -26.94
Cowlitz River At Randle
USGS 14231000
16200 cfs 17.02 ft 29.6
Cowlitz River Below Mayfield Dam
USGS 14238000
28700 cfs 18.9 ft 0.35
Cowlitz River At Castle Rock
USGS 14243000
40200 cfs 43.52 ft 8.06
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Cowlitz River is a river in the state of Washington in the United States, a tributary of the Columbia River. Its tributaries drain a large region including the slopes of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens.
The Cowlitz has a 2,586-square-mile (6,698 km2) drainage basin, located between the Cascade Range in eastern Lewis County, Washington and the cities of Kelso and Longview. The river is roughly 105 miles (169 km) long, not counting tributaries.
Major tributaries of the Cowlitz River include the Cispus River and the Toutle River, which was overtaken by volcanic mudflows (lahars) during the May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
When the smelt spawn in the Cowlitz River, the gulls go into a feeding frenzy that lasts for weeks. Kelso, Washington is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World".