08/02/2026
Smoke from large wildfires in Eastern Washington and Oregon is expected to settle into North Central Idaho during the next 24 hours as a warming trend pushes temperatures toward triple digits in the southern sections of Idaho County later this week.
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In a Sunday, Aug. 2, briefing, the National Weather Service in Missoula said smoke will become more widespread across North Central Idaho through Monday and is expected to linger for several days, bringing periods of reduced visibility and degraded air quality.
Air quality alerts remain in effect for North Central Idaho as smoke drifts south and east behind a cooler northwesterly weather pattern.
While smoke has already affected parts of the region, forecasters said additional smoke from active wildfires in Eastern Washington and, increasingly, Eastern Oregon is expected to spread into Idaho through Monday and Tuesday. Residents who are not seeing significant smoke yet should expect conditions to worsen within about 24 hours, according to the weather service.
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Despite the smoky conditions, Monday and Tuesday will bring a brief break from the recent heat. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the 40s across much of north central Idaho, with some mountain valleys dipping into the 30s.
-- In Grangeville, highs are forecast to climb from 71 degrees Monday to 81 Tuesday, 87 Wednesday and around 90 Thursday and Friday. Overnight lows will rise from 48 Monday morning to 61 by Friday morning.
-- Elk City is expected to cool to 36 degrees Monday morning before warming rapidly through the week. Highs are forecast to reach 73 Monday, 82 Tuesday, 89 Wednesday and around 90 to 91 Thursday and Friday.
-- The deepest heat will settle into the Salmon River corridor. Riggins is forecast to reach 86 Monday before climbing to 94 Tuesday, 102 Wednesday, 105 Thursday and 104 Friday, with overnight lows steadily increasing from 52 to 67 degrees.
The weather service said dry conditions will persist throughout the week, with afternoon relative humidity falling to 20% or lower each day. Winds are expected to remain lighter after Sunday's stronger conditions before potentially increasing again late in the week as another weather pattern change approaches.
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Forecasters are also monitoring the possibility of a ridge breaking down next weekend, which could bring gusty winds, isolated thunderstorms and renewed elevated fire weather concerns. However, any chance of lightning remains low at this time.
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The weather service also urged residents living near active wildfires to review evacuation plans, prepare go kits and be ready to leave quickly if evacuation orders are issued.
(-- pictured is smoke plume satellite photo of region, Aug. 2, courtesy NWS Missoula)
