FXUS65 KPIH 051944 AFDPIH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 144 PM MDT Wed Aug 5 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Wildfire smoke continues to impact the area on and off for the next few days. Expect decreased air quality at times with air quality advisories in effect. - Warming trend has begun with highs approaching 100 degrees in the lower elevations Friday through the weekend. - No precipitation in the forecast for this week, but increasing potential for monsoon moisture to return next week but still only slight chance of thunderstorms mainly in southern mountains. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 112 PM MDT Wed Aug 5 2026 Wildfire smoke not quite as bad but still present at least through tomorrow. Air Quality advisories remain in effect for several counties but not as pronounced in some areas. Temperatures in a moderating trend now with low elevations back into the 90s for high temperatures on Thursday and they will approach 100 Friday into Sunday. Presence of smoke can always affect just how warm it gets under these ridges as well. For now no heat products have been issued but they may be necessary beginning on Friday. Dewpoints are much lower than the previous heat events over southeast Idaho. Hot and dry conditions are expected through Sunday. The extended grids show a very slight chance of some convective activity in the far southern mountains Monday through Wednesday but low confidence in any precipiation occurring but it does show some monsoonal moisture returning. But overall through the early part of next week the general theme will remain hot and dry with some smoke presence possibly reducing temperatures when it's present. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1057 AM MDT Wed Aug 5 2026 Clear skies in place with only impact any smoke visibility restrictions. At 17Z only BYI and SUN at 7 miles and put some 6 miles and only minor visibility restrictions at BYI and SUN both this afternoon. Went with no restrictions tonight and Thursday at all sites. Winds generally increasing to 10 knots in the afternoon at PIH and IDA with some downslope 10 plus knots after 04Z at SUN. So mainly normal diurnal wind variations through tomorrow. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1227 PM MDT Wed Aug 5 2026 Elevated fire weather conditions are anticipated through the first part of next week due to the combination of critical minimum RH values and breezy to gusty winds. While min RH will largely range 10 to 15 percent throughout the period, winds will remain near-critical and fall short of Red Flag criteria for most of the area. Gusts over the next few days will reach 20 to 25 mph with slightly stronger gusts beginning Sunday, which is when we expect pockets of Red Flag conditions to materialize. Temperatures will peak Friday through Sunday as high pressure strengthens over the region, sending daytime highs close to triple digit range for many of our lower elevation areas. Dry conditions will linger for another week or so, but the 6- 10 day, 10-14 day, and weeks 3-4 outlooks are encouraging, all favoring above normal precipitation. && .AIR QUALITY... Issued at 157 AM MDT Wed Aug 5 2026 An air quality alert continues for Caribou, Oneida, Bingham, Bannock and Power Counties due to impacts from wildfire smoke. Air quality is expected to remain "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Another air quality alert has been issued for Cassia, Lincoln and Minidoka Counties through Thursday. Air quality is expected to remain "unhealthy for sensitive groups." && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Air Quality Alert until 1 PM MDT Thursday for IDZ051-055>057. Air Quality Alert until 11 AM MDT Thursday for IDZ052-054-058- 059-062-063. && $$ DISCUSSION...GK AVIATION...GK FIREWEATHER...Cropp AIR QUALITY...GK