Updated 1000am MDT Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Valid through Noon MDT Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Smoke Outlook
Air quality is forecast to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality category across
the northern Panhandle with short term readings in the Clearwater drainages and across the Idaho Panhandle.
Impacts are from regional fire burning in primarily in Washington State. The Air Quality Forecast and Caution
for Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties has been lifted.
for Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties has been lifted.
Today will be a slightly calmer day-but still active- as one upper level low moves out of our area and another
moves in. Temperatures will be near normal and a slight possibility of afternoon thunderstorms in all airsheds
in southern Idaho exists with the highest threat over the Southern Magic Valley and southeast Idaho. Surface
wind speeds will be between 5-15 mph. The biggest concern today will be gusty conditions near storms with
gusts up to 40-50 mph across southern Idaho. There is a Red Flag Warning for much of southwest Idaho
today for high winds and lightning. Surface wind direction will be from the northwest in the Treasure Valley
with west-southwest winds across the remainder of southern Idaho with a late turn from east to southwest
in the Magic Valley. Mixing heights will range from 5,000-9,000 feet AGL. Transport wind speed will be
between 5-20 mph and be generally from the west-southwest except across the Treasure Valley where
northwest wind directions will occur.
The upper level low currently off the coast of BC will continue to track towards northern Idaho and will
account for locally breezy surface and transport winds. This system will promote dry conditions through
the day today. Isolated thunderstorms are possible along the Canada/Idaho border late today. Surface
wind speeds will range from 10-20 mph and be from the west-southwest with west-northwest winds
across the Camas Prairie and Palouse. Mixing heights are expected to from 7,500-10,000 feet AGL over
all air sheds. Skies will be mostly to partly sunny this afternoon. The wind aloft over northern Idaho this
afternoon will be from the southwest and will range from 15-25 mph except across central Idaho where
winds will be from the west-northwest at 10-15mph.
The strongest smoke impacts are occurring across the Idaho Panhandle with light impacts through the
Hells Canyon and Clearwater drainages. This will continue into the afternoon as cloud cover and higher
moisture levels associated with the upper level low pressure system persist into Wednesday. Given the
current location of the upper level low, expect impacts from fires burning in central Washington to affect
most of the Columbia Plateau with a small chance to impact the Palouse and Clearwater airsheds.
Fires along the Idaho/Washington border will continue to affect the northern Panhandle today roughly
from I-90 and north. By Wednesday, this system may allow for decreased fire behavior and atmospheric
scouring of particulates. Light impacts should be expected as far south as the Lower Treasure Valley,
including a swath running southwest to northeast through McCall and the Central Idaho Mountains into
Salmon.
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
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:
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.
d. Use the visibility values above to determine the local wildfire smoke category.
