Special Weather Statement, NWS Pocatello, ID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
248 PM MDT Mon Aug 7 2017

.DISCUSSION...A nearly stationary, weak upper level system over
California is bringing moisture into our area. Expect isolated to
scattered showers and thunderstorms all week. Models are
struggling with best areas of mainly afternoon/early evening
convection. Models are still showing our Southeast areas slightly
favored for scattered convection this afternoon. Models also
favor scattered convection for all mountain areas on Wednesday and
Thursday afternoons as they show the instability coming from the
weak system over California. Also, expect elevated winds as this
weak system moves from California toward the East Northeast later
in the week into the weekend. With active wildfires in the area,
smoke is bringing degraded air quality conditions. Air quality
advisories are in effect for Blaine, Lincoln, Minidoka, Cassia,
Bannock and Franklin counties. Cooler temperatures, cloud cover,
and increased relative humidity will help damper wildfire
development. However, any thunderstorm outflows will aide fire
development. Expect erratic outflows of 30 to 40 mph in and around
showers and thunderstorms all week. Also, lightning strikes are a
concern for starting new fires. See fire weather discussion and
fire weather forecast for more details on fire concern areas. TW

&&

.AVIATION...Expect VFR conditions at all sites through Tuesday.
Could see occasional smoke visibility restrictions especially at
SUN.  Expect showers and thunderstorms to develop this afternoon and
evening but chances at hitting a terminal are low.  For now kept
thunder out of TAFs but it remains possible every day this week.
GK

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Expect an active week with a chance for showers and
thunderstorms daily with monsoonal moisture expected to remain in
the region through Friday.   Convection slow to develop today but a
red flag warning remains in effect for zone 413 for scattered
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.   At 2 pm were starting to
see some cells develop in that region.   Expect isolated activity in
the remainder of southeast Idaho.   Expect light winds through
Wednesday with the only strong ones near thunderstorms from outflow.
GK

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 10 PM MDT this evening for IDZ413.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
329 PM MDT MON AUG 7 2017

IDZ021>023-072215-
Caribou Highlands ID-South Central Highlands ID-
Lower Snake River Plain ID-
329 PM MDT MON AUG 7 2017

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 327 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fort Hall Bannock Peak or 14 miles southeast of Neeley, moving
northeast at 5 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Pocatello, American Falls Reservoir, Fort Hall Bannock Peak, Portneuf
Gap, Fort Hall Bannock Creek Lodge, Pocatello Airport, Pauline and
Mink Creek Pass.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Fire crews working near active fires should prepare for strong, gusty
and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds that will increase fire
behavior. This is a DANGEROUS SITUATION. Fire crews should move to
safety zones immediately.

&&

LAT...LON 4252 11256 4261 11278 4294 11275 4283 11229
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 207DEG 6KT 4263 11263

JAH