Windy storms possible (aka a Very Bad Day for fires)

Air quality today is forecast range from Good to Unhealthy.

The persistent high-pressure ridge will begin to break down today in response to an approaching trough. A large portion of the state is under Red Flag Warnings due to high surface wind speeds and a threat for dry thunderstorms. Per the Storm Prediction Center, there is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms over central Idaho and a slight risk (higher risk) for severe thunderstorms over southwest Idaho. In the south, winds will be from northwest to southwest at 5-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon. In the north, winds will be from southwest to northwest at 5-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon. Expect higher gusts in the vicinity of thunderstorms. 

Idaho will experience haze and periods of light smoke until winds pick up in the afternoon and send the plumes towards the east. These gusty winds should be strong enough to scour lingering valley smoke, however they are also likely to increase fire activity and smoke production. Smoke is likely to settle into drainages overnight. A shift to northwest wind is expected to increased smoke impacts across much of the state in the morning. 

HRRR Smoke – Near Surface Smoke initialized at 12Z (06am MDT 9/7) shows winds increasing in the afternoon today pushing smoke to the west before beginning to settle overnight.