Air Quality Advisory Extended for North and North Central Idaho

 

Relief for south Idaho today

Air quality today is forecast to be in the Good to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups categories.

Today, the low-pressure system will bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms to all of north Idaho, with showers likely over the panhandle. Surface winds will be from the southwest to north-northeast at 5-10 mph in the afternoon. In south Idaho, upper-level moisture will continue to bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms, mainly over the higher elevations around the Snake River Plain. There is a slight chance for showers over the Upper Snake River Plain and Middle Snake River Plain. Surface winds will be from the northwest to southwest at 2-8 mph in the afternoon. 

Steady rain in the Salmon area reduced the smoke load in the atmosphere and looks to continue improving today. Increasing upper-level flow from the southwest will decrease the smoke across southern areas of the state, but this may bring smoke from California and Oregon into southwest Idaho near the end of the forecast period. Expect smoky conditions to gradually improve over central and north Idaho beginning today. 

Bluesky PNW-4km initialized at 00Z (6pm MDT 9/13) shows relief in the south from smoke impacts by the afternoon today. 

Air Quality Advisory Extended for Coeur d'Alene Reservation

 

Air Quality Advisory

Coeur d’Alene Reservation  

 

Time / Date:	8:30 AM Sept 14, 2022
Location:	Kootenai and Benewah County on Coeur d’Alene Reservation
Action:	CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OR THIS OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Cause of Air Pollution:	Wild fires in BC, WA, ID and Oregon with wind direction can increase air pollution levels in our area, these conditions could improve through today and into the weekend with increase wind from the Southwest.
AQI and AQI Category:	Current Conditions: AQI  = 151 Unhealthy Range  A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather service due to low humidity and high winds, sensitive* people should be cautious and stay indoors. Avoid any outdoor activities until conditions improve. Go to the links on the bottom of this page for more detailed information.   Air quality is expected to improve today with a new low pressure front moving into our area . Wind direction could improve air quality but be aware of changing conditions to protect your health and limit exertion outdoors when smoke is visible.
Pollutant (s):	Fine particulate from wildfire smoke
Restrictions in Effect Until:	No open burning until conditions improve call in for updates
Next Update:	When conditions change
Contact:	Les Higgins(208) 686-8101 or (208) 659 2275

Air quality is forecast to range from Good to Very Unhealthy across the state today.

Today, a low pressure l system will bring a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms over the Panhandle and central Idaho while the remnants of a tropical storm brings a chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms to all of south Idaho. In the north, surface winds will be from the southwest to northwest at 5-10 mph with northeast winds near Grangeville. In the south, afternoon winds will be from the southeast at 5-10 mph over the Treasure Valley and from the northwest to southwest at 5-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph elsewhere. 

Dense smoke and increased cloud cover is keeping the central and northern parts of the state covered in smoke for another day; however, smoke impacts will diminish with the active weather pattern. South Idaho will see relief in smoke, though eastern Idaho may start to see smoke impacts again at the end of the forecast period as the wind shifts. With the continued chance of wetting rain for the remainder of the week, especially over central Idaho, smoke impacts are likely to improve in general and remain contained to the areas immediately downwind of the fires.  

HRRR-Smoke Near Surface Smoke initialized at 06Z (12 am MDT) and valid at 9pm MDT shows south Idaho getting relief from smoke impacts tonight while the north remains under a blanket of smoke.  

Air Quality Advisory Extended for all areas outside of southeastern and eastern Idaho