Alert archive / Idaho / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Pocatello, ID
NWS Pocatello, ID issued this red flag warning at Jul 24, 2026, 9:43 AM MDT for Cassia County, Twin Falls County, Idaho. It took effect at Jul 24, 2026, 1:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 8 hr. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 24, 2026, 9:43 AM MDT (15:43 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jul 24, 2026, 1:00 PM MDT
- Expired
- Jul 24, 2026, 9:00 PM MDT
- In force
- 8 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Pocatello, ID
Counties Cassia County, ID, Twin Falls County, ID
The radar
The Pocatello radar (KSFX), 147 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:45 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2:19 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 45 | 8 Nw Heglar, ID | Mesonet station RFTI1 8 NW Heglar. |
| Jul 24, 2:19 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 45 | 8 Nw Heglar, ID | Mesonet station Raft River RAWS 8 NW Heglar. |
| Jul 24, 3:30 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 46 | 6 Se Albion, ID | Mesonet station 2983 D4 Conner Summit ID-77. |
| Jul 24, 3:32 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 42 | 17 Wsw Marion, ID | Mesonet station CRII1 Cotton Ridge. |
| Jul 24, 4:30 PM MDT | TSTM WND GST 45 | 9 Sse Sublett, ID | Mesonet station 3255 D4 Sweetzer Summit I-84. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The text
As transmitted.
610 WWUS85 KPIH 241543 RFWPIH URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Pocatello ID 943 AM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 427... IDZ427-250300- /O.NEW.KPIH.FW.W.0013.260724T1900Z-260725T0300Z/ Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River- 943 AM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 427... The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Red Flag Warning for scattered thunderstorms, which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM MDT this evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 427 Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River. * IMPACTS...Scattered thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning that may in turn produce wildfire starts in receptive fuels. * THUNDERSTORMS...A mix of wet and dry storms. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 45-55 mph. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho: - Relative humidity at or below 15 percent and wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain. - Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria. - Other high impact events deemed critical by the National Weather Service and area fire management agencies. && $$
2 follow-up statements
253 WWUS85 KPIH 241912 RFWPIH URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Pocatello ID 112 PM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 427... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 410, 413, AND 427... IDZ427-250300- /O.NEW.KPIH.FW.W.0014.260725T1900Z-260726T0300Z/ /O.CON.KPIH.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260725T0300Z/ Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River- 112 PM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 427... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 427... The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Red Flag Warning for scattered thunderstorms, which is in effect from 1 PM to 9 PM MDT Saturday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 427 Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River. * IMPACTS...Scattered thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning that may in turn produce wildfire starts in receptive fuels. * THUNDERSTORMS...A mix of wet and dry storms. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 45- 55 mph. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho: - Relative humidity at or below 15 percent and wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain. - Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria. - Other high impact events deemed critical by the National Weather Service and area fire management agencies. && $$ IDZ410-413-250300- /O.NEW.KPIH.FW.W.0014.260725T1900Z-260726T0300Z/ Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM-Caribou Range/Caribou NF- 112 PM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 410 AND 413... The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Red Flag Warning for scattered thunderstorms, which is in effect from 1 PM to 9 PM MDT Saturday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 410 Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM and Fire Weather Zone 413 Caribou Range/Caribou NF. * IMPACTS...Scattered thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning that may in turn produce wildfire starts in receptive fuels. * THUNDERSTORMS...A mix of wet and dry storms. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 45- 55 mph. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho: - Relative humidity at or below 15 percent and wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain. - Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria. - Other high impact events deemed critical by the National Weather Service and area fire management agencies. && $$
937 WWUS85 KPIH 250316 RFWPIH URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Pocatello ID 916 PM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR IDAHO FIRE WEATHER ZONES 410, 413, AND 427... IDZ427-251200- /O.EXP.KPIH.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260725T0300Z/ /O.CON.KPIH.FW.W.0014.260725T1900Z-260726T0300Z/ Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River- 916 PM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 427... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 427 Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River. * IMPACTS...Scattered thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning that may in turn produce wildfire starts in receptive fuels. * THUNDERSTORMS...A mix of wet and dry storms. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 45- 55 mph. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho: - Relative humidity at or below 15 percent and wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain. - Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria. - Other high impact events deemed critical by the National Weather Service and area fire management agencies. && $$ IDZ410-413-251200- /O.CON.KPIH.FW.W.0014.260725T1900Z-260726T0300Z/ Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM-Caribou Range/Caribou NF- 916 PM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 410 AND 413... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 410 Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM and Fire Weather Zone 413 Caribou Range/Caribou NF. * IMPACTS...Scattered thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning that may in turn produce wildfire starts in receptive fuels. * THUNDERSTORMS...A mix of wet and dry storms. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 45- 55 mph. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho: - Relative humidity at or below 15 percent and wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain. - Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria. - Other high impact events deemed critical by the National Weather Service and area fire management agencies. && $$
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Pocatello, ID wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Jul 24, 5:25 AM MDT, 4 hours 18 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Surging Heat & Heat Advisory Today: A building Four Corners ridge will push temperatures into the mid-to-upper 90s today through early next week. A Heat Advisory is in effect today for lower elevations—including the Snake Plain, Magic Valley, Arco Desert, Shoshone, and South Hills — where highs will reach 95°F to 100°F.
- Shift to Mixed Wet/Dry Storms: Isolated to scattered thunderstorms this afternoon across the entirety of the forecast area will be capable of gusty outflows ranging 40 to 50 mph and small to moderate hail.
- Saturday Shortwave & Gusty Winds: A passing shortwave on Saturday will briefly elevate shower and thunderstorm chances while generating widespread wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. This could lead to Red Flag Conditions for parts of eastern Idaho.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 24, 5:25 AM MDT, 4 hours 18 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 525 AM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Surging Heat & Heat Advisory Today: A building Four Corners ridge will push temperatures into the mid-to-upper 90s today through early next week. A Heat Advisory is in effect today for lower elevations—including the Snake Plain, Magic Valley, Arco Desert, Shoshone, and South Hills — where highs will reach 95°F to 100°F. - Shift to Mixed Wet/Dry Storms: Isolated to scattered thunderstorms this afternoon across the entirety of the forecast area will be capable of gusty outflows ranging 40 to 50 mph and small to moderate hail. - Saturday Shortwave & Gusty Winds: A passing shortwave on Saturday will briefly elevate shower and thunderstorm chances while generating widespread wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. This could lead to Red Flag Conditions for parts of eastern Idaho. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 229 AM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 Early morning radar shows several showers and thunderstorms working northeastward through the CWA. Within a couple of hours, we should see a break in activity ahead of the afternoon push. The latest CAMs feature increased storm coverage this afternoon than previous runs. Temperatures today will be noticeably warmer as they increase to well-above normal again in the mid- to upper-90s across the low elevations and 80s in the mid-elevations and mountain valleys. A HEAT ADVISORY remains in effect today for many of our valley locations, including the Snake River Plain, eastern Magic Valley, Arco Desert, Shoshone region, and South Hills. Daytime temperature will remain fairly stable through the entirety of the forecast period. A shortwave on Saturday will bring increased chances for showers and thunderstorms in an otherwise dry-leaning pattern. Winds will also increase on Saturday with many areas expected to observe 30 to 40 mph gusts. Thus, elevated fire weather conditions are anticipated over the next couple of days whether it be for scattered thunderstorms or the combination of low min RH and winds as we continue to dry out. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 524 AM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 Isolated to scattered convection will return to Southeast Idaho this afternoon, along with wind gusts 20 to 30 mph. Storms will be capable of outflow winds 40 to 50 mph and heavy rainfall. Have included PROB30s for all sites between 21z Friday and 02z Saturday. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 229 AM MDT Fri Jul 24 2026 Near-critical to critical fire weather conditions over the next couple of days will likely necessitate Red Flag Warnings on Saturday. Humidity will continue to decrease into early next week while winds increase over the next couple of days, along with scattered convection accompanying a shortwave on Saturday. Temperatures today will be noticeably warmer as they increase to well-above normal again in the mid- to upper-90s across the low elevations and 80s in the mid-elevations and mountain valleys. Daytime temperature will remain fairly stable through the entirety of the forecast period. The disturbance on Saturday will bring scattered, wet and dry thunderstorms in an otherwise dry-leaning pattern. Winds will also increase on Saturday to 30 to 40 mph gusts across much of the area while min RH will span sub-20 percent across all Fire Weather Zones aside from 411, 413, and 427. && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM MDT this evening for IDZ051>057. && DISCUSSION...Cropp AVIATION...Cropp FIRE WEATHER...Cropp
The office that day
Everything else NWS Pocatello, ID issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 9:52 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Custer | 23 min |
| Jul 23, 10:28 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | PIH | Custer | 2 hr |
| Jul 24, 1:12 PM MDT | Red Flag Warning | PIH | Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou and 10 more | 32 hr |
| Jul 24, 1:35 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Caribou | 40 min |
| Jul 24, 2:18 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Power | 27 min |
| Jul 24, 2:55 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Power | 50 min |
| Jul 24, 3:35 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Minidoka | 40 min |
| Jul 24, 3:53 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Bingham | 37 min |
| Jul 24, 4:53 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PIH | Caribou | 37 min |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Idaho, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.