GOOD to MODERATE Air Quality Today

Today’s AQI is forecast to be in the GOOD to MODERATE category across Idaho. Light-to-moderate smoke and haze is currently seen over North Idaho; some dispersion will take place later today. Light-to-moderate smoke will drift into southern and eastern Idaho, as well as the Central Mountains, this evening. This smoke will linger overnight with some limited dispersion taking place for eastern Idaho and the Upper Treasure Valley late tomorrow morning.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP-Smoke Near Surface Smoke model initialized at 6:00 a.m. MDT August 31, 2023

Widespread clearing today before light smoke returns tomorrow

Today’s AQI is forecast to be in the GOOD to MODERATE categories across Idaho. 

Westerly winds will provide clearing across most of the state this morning and afternoon. The Telegraph Fire to the north of Twin Falls is producing light smoke in the local area. Light-to-moderate smoke and haze will linger over parts of East Idaho this evening, while light-to-moderate smoke and haze will drift into North Idaho from Canada. Tomorrow morning, light smoke from Oregon will drift into the West Central Mountains and Idaho County. As the wind shifts from the south late morning tomorrow along Idaho’s southern border, light smoke and haze will drift into southern Idaho.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP-Smoke Near Surface Smoke initialized at 6:00 a.m. MDT August 30, 2023.

Some incoming smoke this afternoon

Today’s AQI is forecast to be in the GOOD to MODERATE categories across Idaho. Smoke begin to move into the western half of Idaho this afternoon and into East Idaho later this evening. Limited clearing of the smoke will happen tomorrow morning for parts of North Idaho and the Lower Snake River Plain. By late morning, clearing continues for North Idaho and southwestern Idaho, as well as the Central Mountains and the Magic Valley with light to moderate smoke pushing through East Idaho into Wyoming and Utah.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP-Smoke Near Surface Smoke initialized at 6:00 a.m. MDT on August 29, 2023.

Light-to-moderate smoke over North Idaho

Today’s AQI is forecast to be in the GOOD to MODERATE categories across the state. 

Fires in neighboring states continue to produce thick smoke while light-to-moderate concentrations are seen over North Idaho. The smoke will settle into the valleys overnight before some limited dispersion tomorrow morning. Light-to-moderate smoke will approach the western Idaho border later Tuesday morning but the impacts will be limited with elevated wind speeds expected.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP-Smoke Near Surface Smoke initialized at 6:00 a.m. MDT on August 28, 2023

 Good to Moderate Air Quality Expected to Continue

August 25, 2023: Today’s #AQI is forecast to range from the GOOD to MODERATE categories. The smoke and haze is expected to clear over the West Central Mountains and Treasure Valley on Saturday. Smoke and haze will likely increase slightly on Saturday afternoon over North Idaho and remain slightly elevated through the weekend. Southern Idaho air quality looks to remain good through the weekend. Forecast warmer temperatures and increased winds over the weekend could increase fire activity and affect local air quality.

Video: HRRR-NCEP-Smoke Near Surface Smoke initialized 12Z (6am MDT) 25 August 2023 shows that the western Canadian, Central Washington, northern California, and Central Oregon fires continue to produce thick smoke across portions of the Pacific Northwest while light to moderate concentrations are expected for parts of Idaho this weekend. Light to moderate smoke and haze are currently observed in the West Central Mountains, North Idaho, and the Treasure Valley.