Hot week ahead; smoky near active fires

Air quality forecasts in the GOOD to MODERATE range.

Today, an upper-level high pressure ridge will build over the state, leading to hot and dry conditions for much of the week. Winds will be from the south-southwest to northeast at 2-8 mph over north Idaho and from the northwest to southwest at 5-10 mph over south Idaho. Low wind speeds will lead to erratic wind directions. 

Smoke impacts will be greatest near active fires, including the Four Corners fire near Cascade and the Moose fire near Salmon. Dense overnight smoke in Cascade area will slowly disperse through the late morning and afternoon but the immediate area will still experience impacts. Northwest winds will help to limit smoke aloft from out of state fires but smoke from local fires is expected to impact portions of south Idaho today while Salmon will experience hazy skies.  

HRRR-Smoke Near Surface Smoke initialized 12z (06am MDT) and valid 3pm MDT shows increased elevated smoke over parts of south Idaho and locally high concentrations near active fires in central Idaho.