August 7 2017, Smoke forecast

Summary

With similar weather expected today as we had this weekend expect air quality to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy category across the state. Surface winds will be generally light and variable. Expect similar smoke impacts tomorrow as the weather pattern is not anticipated to differ much from today; however, across central Idaho, there looks to be a slight improvement in the afternoon as stronger northwest winds develop. For more details about your location see below.

Updated 10am MDT Monday, August 7, 2017

Valid through Noon MDT Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Smoke Outlook

Air quality is forecast to continue to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy air quality category across the state today.  Monitors are currently reading in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Category over much of Idaho with the Treasure Valley, McCall, and Paul areas displaying hourly readings in the Unhealthy Category.  The 24hr AQI categories for Sunday mirrored the current hourly readings with the addition of Pocatello experiencing a 24hr AQI of Unhealthy.  The Panhandle experienced a 24hr AQI of Moderate across all DEQ monitoring locations on Sunday. 

                                                                                                                                            

Today will see similar weather to the weekend due to an upper level blocking pattern off the Pacific Coast.  Small amounts of moisture will be present over portions of southeast Idaho, which will allow for a slight chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over the area.  Elsewhere, surface winds will be light and generally from the northwest to northeast at 5-10 mph.  Northern Idaho will see 2-8 mph with northeast to northwest winds.  Skies will be mostly sunny to sunny across northern Idaho and partly cloudy to mostly cloudy over southern Idaho; however expect widespread smoke to limit visibility. Mixing heights will range from 7,000-10,000 feet AGL across all of Idaho today.  Transport winds will be from the northeast to northwest at 5-10 mph.

Smoke impacts are expected to be greater in the morning prior to the inversion lift with higher readings across much of the Treasure Valley, Weippe and Camas Prairies, and portions of the Upper Snake River near Pocatello.  Due to the light surface and transport winds today, smoke is expected to linger and to not quickly disperse within the mixing layer this afternoon.  Expect similar conditions experienced this weekend with heavy impacts from the Brownlee Reservoir, Weiser, and North Fork-Payette drainages south into the Treasure Valley.  In northern Idaho, light easterly winds are expected to bring smoke from fires in Montana west into the Clearwater drainages and into the Camas and Weippe Prairies before continuing west into the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and the Palouse.  This evening, expect smoke to accumulate north of Salmon, around the McCall area, and much of Oneida County.  Due to the light wind speeds, smoke is also expected to linger across the areas it accumulates in during the day. Expect similar impacts tomorrow as the weather pattern will not differ drastically from today; however, across central Idaho, there looks to be a slight improvement in the afternoon as stronger northwest winds develop.  Continue to expect impacts within both the Lower and Upper Treasure Valley as well as the Pocatello area.

DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Cautions:                           

• The Boise Regional Office has issued a Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Ada County, Canyon County, and Elmore County.  Valid through Monday, August 7^th at 3pm at which time it will be re-evaluated. It is expected to be extended.
• The Twin Falls Regional Office has issued a Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Blaine County, Camas County, Gooding County, Lincoln County, Twin Falls County, Minidoka County, and Cassia County.  Valid through Monday, August 7^th at 1pm at which time it will be re-evaluated. It is expected to be extended.
• The Lewiston Regional Office has issued a Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Clearwater County, Idaho County, Latah County, Lewis County, and Nez Perce County, river corridors, and surrounding areas off the Nez Perce Reservation. Valid though Friday  August 11^th at 10am at which time it will be re-evaluated.
• The Coeur d’Alene Regional Office has issued a Air Quality Advisory for Benewah County, Bonner County, Boundary County, Kootenai County, and Shoshone County.  Valid through Wednesday, August 9^th at 12pm at which time it will be re-evaluated.
• The Pocatello Regional Office has issued a Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Bannock County, Power County and Franklin County. Valid through Tuesday, August 8^th at 12pm.