Critical Fire Weather and Severe Storms Today
Temperatures are running 10 to 15 degrees above normal on Monday, with highs reaching 93 degrees. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for southeast Oregon, where sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph combined with very dry conditions are creating critical fire weather. Winds in southwest Idaho will be slightly lower at 10 to 20 mph sustained with gusts up to 30 mph outside of thunderstorms.
High-based showers and thunderstorms are developing in southwest Idaho highlands and the central Idaho mountains. These storms are capable of producing outflow wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph. Blowing dust is also a concern, locally reducing visibility and air quality.
Cold Front Brings Major Cooldown Tuesday
The strong cold front will pass through eastern Oregon tonight and western Idaho Tuesday morning. Behind the front, precipitation chances will increase and temperatures will drop to near normal. Scattered showers will continue over the region through Wednesday, with storm total rainfall amounts around 0.25 inches for much of the area, with lower amounts in the Snake River Plain and higher amounts over the mountains. Thunderstorms are possible each afternoon and evening with gusty winds and heavier rainfall rates.
Active Pattern Continues Through the Week
An active weather pattern will continue through most of the extended period as an upper-level low lingers over the Great Basin, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms Thursday through Saturday. Temperatures will mostly hover near or slightly below normal through the end of the week.
A larger system from off the coast of British Columbia will move into the Northwest over the weekend, likely swallowing the Great Basin low and steering it as a shortwave trough over the area. This pattern will likely continue widespread showers and thunderstorms on Saturday. Sunday will see showers and thunderstorms over higher terrain as the merged system moves out, before a broad ridge builds in and returns warmer and drier conditions early next week.
This Evening…