Idaho Weather & Safety Alerts
7 active alerts ยท Updated July 17, 2026
Data source: National Weather Service (NWS) Last verified: July 17, 2026
Flooding
Flash Flood Watch (WATCH) - expires July 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: Sawtooth/Stanley Basin
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:26AM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
WHAT...Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall continue to be possible over the Wapiti burn scar.
WHERE...A portion of central Idaho, including the following area, Sawtooth/Stanley Basin.
WHEN...From 1 PM MDT this afternoon through 9 PM MDT this evening.
IMPACTS...Heavy rainfall over the Wapiti burn scar is expected during the period of the watch. Anyone in or near the Wapiti burn scar should prepare for potential debris flow moving through the Wapiti burn scar. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding and debris flows in and near recent wildfire burn scars.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting heavy rainfall over the Wapiti burn scar, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows.
Some locations that may experience flash flooding include... Cape Horn Area and Banner Summit.
What to do: You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Source: NWS Pocatello ID
Flash Flood Watch (WATCH) - expires July 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: Boise Mountains
Flash Flood Watch issued July 16 at 12:44PM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
WHAT...Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible over the Wapiti Burn Area.
WHERE...A portion of southwest Idaho, including the following area, Boise Mountains.
WHEN...From Friday afternoon through Friday evening.
IMPACTS...Heavy rainfall over the Wapiti Burn Area is possible during the period of the watch. Residents near the Wapiti Burn Area should prepare for potential flooding impacts.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
Heavy rainfall is possible over the Wapiti Burn Area, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows.
What to do: You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Source: NWS Boise ID
Fire Weather
Red Flag Warning (WARNING) - expires July 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: Centennial Mountains and Snake River Range/Targhee NF; Caribou Range/Caribou NF
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:18AM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 411, 413, 422, 427, 475 AND 476...
AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 411 Centennial Mountains and Snake River Range/Targhee NF 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, with wetting rains possible with stronger storms
OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 55-60 mph.
What to do: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho:
- Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria.
Source: NWS Pocatello ID
Red Flag Warning (WARNING) - expires July 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: Sawtooth Range/Northern Sawtooth NF; Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:18AM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 411, 413, 422, 427, 475 AND 476...
AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 422 Sawtooth Range/Northern Sawtooth NF and 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, with wetting rains possible with stronger storms.
OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 55-60 mph.
What to do: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho:
- Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria.
Source: NWS Pocatello ID
Red Flag Warning (WARNING) - expires July 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: East Salmon River Mountains/Salmon NF; Lemhi and Lost River Range/Challis NF
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:18AM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 411, 413, 422, 427, 475 AND 476...
AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 475 East Salmon River Mountains/Salmon NF and Fire Weather Zone 476 Lemhi and Lost River Range/Challis 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, with wetting rains possible with stronger storms.
OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts over 35 mph with peak gusts nearing 55-60 mph.
What to do: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho:
- Thunderstorm coverage of 25 percent, without specific rainfall criteria.
Source: NWS Pocatello ID
Red Flag Warning (WARNING) - expires July 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle; Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 8:50PM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MUCH OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST THURSDAY NIGHT...
...GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS OKANOGAN, METHOW VALLEYS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...
...GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS WATERVILLE PLATEAU FRIDAY AFTERNOON SHIFTING TO WESTERLY IN THE EVENING...
.Additional showers and storms will redevelop tonight for much of the Inland Northwest. Gusty outflow winds around 30 mph will be possible with this activity. Rainfall amounts up to a tenth of an inch are possible, with locally higher amounts where multiple storms move over the same area. Dry and breezy conditions will develop in portions of central Washington Friday afternoon. A sharp wind shift from south to west will impact the Waterville Plateau Friday evening.
Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101) and Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700).
Thunderstorms: Scattered thunderstorms possible overnight into Friday morning. Rainfall amounts up to a tenth of an inch possible, with locally higher amounts where multiple storms move over the same area.
Outflow Winds: Gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds up to 30 mph will be possible through Friday morning.
Impacts: New fire starts from lightning. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds.
What to do: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Source: NWS Spokane WA
Air Quality
Air Quality Alert (ADVISORY) - expires July 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT
Areas affected: Boundary, ID
Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:29PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies:
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Coeur d'Alene Environmental Protection Agency
WHAT...Air Quality Advisory due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecasted to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. For the latest air quality readings, head to https://fire.airnow.gov or visit the Idaho Smoke Blog at www.idsmoke.blogspot.com.
WHERE...Boundary County.
WHEN...Until 1200 PM PDT Sunday, July 19th.
IMPACTS...Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. Those who experience health effects from smoke include children under 18, elders, pregnant women, people with asthma or have difficulty breathing, diabetes, heart problems or otherwise compromised health, and people who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors).
What to do: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is currently prohibited by air quality rules. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors.
Idaho DEQ Coeur D'Alene Regional Office - (208)-769-1422
Source: NWS Spokane WA
Source
Alert data provided by the National Weather Service (NWS). This page shows active alerts only and is refreshed daily. For real-time updates, visit weather.gov.