Red Flag Warning 8, NWS Pocatello, ID

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
844 AM MDT Tue Aug 8 2017

.UPDATE...We mainly tweaked the forecast this morning to add some
showers in places where we didn't, and it was raining. We are
still looking at isolated thunderstorms today but could see
increased coverage in some pockets, depending on how quickly we
clear out and warm up. Locally heavy rain is still possible with
stronger storms or where "training" occurs. Gusty winds also will
be an issue.  Keyes

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 330 AM MDT Tue Aug 8 2017/

DISCUSSION...Several sources of moisture will be evident across
our region today. Showers and thunderstorms are expected as a
result throughout the day with peak activity expected this
afternoon and early evening across the Central Mountains, Southern
Highlands, Upper Snake Highlands and Caribou Highlands. Outflow
from any one of these thunderstorms will be capable of producing
gusty winds, lightning and heavy rain. There is very little, if
any, chance for thunderstorm activity across the Snake Plain.
Temperatures today should feel slightly cooler with this incoming
moisture. More widespread convective activity is expected
Wednesday and Thursday evening across Idaho, with the same
thunderstorm concerns of gusty outflow winds, heavy rain and
lightning potential. Areas across the Central Mountains may pick
up decent amounts of rainfall during this period, of around 1/2
inch. We are not anticipating significant amounts of rainfall
elsewhere across the region but any one thunderstorm would have
the potential to drop decent wetting rains. The atmosphere starts
to dry out over the weekend with a high pressure ridge building
back into our area and temperatures increase. NP/Valle

AVIATION...A low pressure system off the coast of northern
california will send a steady supply of moisture to the area. This
will produce hit and miss thunderstorms especially during the
afternoon which could affect TAF locations. Otherwise, smoke from
area wildfires will continue to produce haze. Biggest impact is
probably around SUN where smoke has been thick enough the past
couple of mornings to reduce vis to mvfr.

Valle

FIRE WEATHER...A low pressure system off the coast of northern
California will send a steady supply of moisture to the area. This
will produce isolated to scattered thunderstorms especially during
the afternoon for much of the week. Wednesday may provide the next
best day for coverage as a weak front arrives from the northwest.
Besides gusty thunderstorm outflow, winds look relatively light this
week. Temperatures will remain cool which will help keep humidity
higher than normal.

Valle

AIR STAGNATION...Poor air quality from wildfire smoke will
continue today across Idaho. Increasing wildfire smoke is
especially concerning across the Central Mountains, the Upper
Snake Plain, Blaine County and Bannock County today. After the
evening hours, the transport of this smoke becomes more variable
due to potential outflow wind concerns associated with
thunderstorm activity across the area. This should shift the smoke
in several different directions through the nighttime hours before
the smoke settles in under the inversion. What will help the air
quality is the rain potentials. Scattered rain showers are
expected this afternoon where the smoke is expected to be thick.
Additional chances for rain showers are forecast for tomorrow and
Thursday afternoon in these same locations with isolated chances
across the Snake Plain. NP/Valle

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&