Smoke Smoke and More Smoke

Smoke impacts today are expected to remain over southwestern Idaho primarily due to local and regional fires. West-Northwest winds will bring smoke primarily from Washington, southern BC, and Oregon into Idaho. There will be widespread haze throughout the day, particularly over southern Idaho and the Panhandle due to regional transport of smoke. Impacts over the Panhandle are expected to increase today. This evening, expect smoke to drain into the Treasure Valley, Upper Snake River Plain, and the Panhandle.

Tomorrow, expect similar conditions and patterns with continued clearing before a stagnant atmosphere traps smoke on Sunday. Impacts are expected to be localized to the Panhandle down to Lewiston, Central Idaho Mountains, and in the vicinity of Riggins, Garden Valley, and Carey. Widespread hazy conditions will be present with smoke aloft over southern Idaho.

On Sunday, smoke levels will rise in relation to lowering surface and transport wind speeds.  Again, the Panhandle and Central Idaho look to be the area most heavily affected with local impacts near Carey, Riggins, and Garden Valley.

This image shows the forecast smoke levels in the atmosphere over Idaho initialized at 06 UTC 08/03/2018 and valid at 23 UTC 08/03/2018 (5pm MDT). It forecasts widespread smoke aloft over the Panhandle and southern Idaho with relatively low levels over Central Idaho at that time

Data Source: NOAA Air Quality Forecast Guidance. NOAA-NDCD Vertical Smoke.