Updated
10am MDT Thursday, August 4, 2016
Valid
through Noon MDT Friday, August 5, 2016
Smoke
Outlook
Air
quality is forecast to continue to remain in the Good to Moderate air quality
category across the state today. Impacts
are less substantial today with Pocatello, Franklin, Idaho City and Boise the
only locations in south Idaho with currently- elevated monitors reading in the
Moderate Category. In north Idaho, monitor readings are currently in the
Moderate category in the Reubens area. Expect
higher readings in the evening and early morning before improving during the
day.
An
upper level shortwave ridge will develop today prior to the approach and
influence of an upper level disturbance which will enter the area late tonight
and into Friday. Expect winds to be
light and variable in direction today; however, an northeast to east flow will develop
when speeds are above 5 mph or so. Surface
wind speeds will range from 2-8 mph across north Idaho and 5-10 mph across
south Idaho. Mixing heights will range
from 2,000-6,000 feet AGL in the afternoon with transport winds from the southwest
to southeast at 5-10 mph. On Friday, an
upper level lower pressure system will approach from the west while a mid-level
system will move in from northern California which will bring monsoon moisture
and general instability into Idaho. Wind
speeds will be in the 5-10 mph range, with variable direction across the
state. Wind directions at higher speeds
will be primarily from the southeast to southwest with northeast winds in north
Idaho. Mixing heights will range from
2,000-10,000 feet AGL in the afternoon tomorrow.
Smoke impacts today are expected to be minimal with the
cooler temperatures and lighter wind speeds.
Brief periods of heavy, localized smoke should be expected in the
morning before the inversion lifts around 11am-12noon today. The regions that may see smoke this evening include
the Upper Snake River Plain to the Island Park area and the Upper Treasure
Valley. Due to lighter wind speeds,
transport of smoke is expected to be
limited to areas near fires on Friday.
DEQ
Air Quality Advisories:
·
The Twin Falls Regional Office
has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution for Blaine County. Valid through
1pm August 3rd.
·
The Lewiston Regional Office
has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution for Latah County (off the Nez Perce Reservation). Valid through 10 am August 3rd.
The USFS installed monitors
near Stanley, Idaho and Lowman, Idaho. The information can be found
at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl
•
Stanley, ID monitor is Smoke #217
•
Lowman, ID monitor is Smoke #66
•
Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). To convert from UTC to Mountain
Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.
Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather. If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur. When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities. Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors. Visit the Idaho Smoke Blog for more information at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/
Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good.
AQI Category
|
Visibility (miles)
|
Good
|
11+
|
Moderate
|
6-10
|
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
|
3-5
|
Unhealthy
|
1½ -2¾
|
Very Unhealthy
|
1-1¼
|
Hazardous
|
Less than 1
|
How to estimate air quality based on visibility for areas without an air quality monitor or airport visibility estimate:
a. Face away from the sun.
b. Determine the limit of your visible range by looking for targets at known distances (miles).
c. Visible range is when an object you can easily see in the distance disappears.
d. Use the visibility values above to determine the local wildfire smoke category.
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