Red flag warning blankets eastern Idaho after record-breaking heat
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IDAHO FALLS – A red flag warning remains in effect Saturday after a day of record-breaking heat in some areas of eastern Idaho.
On its Facebook page Friday night, the National Weather Service in Pocatello reported that daytime highs in Pocatello and Challis tied previous temperature records. It was 101-degrees Fahrenheit at the Pocatello Regional Airport on Friday — a record previously set in 2024.
At the Challis Airport, daytime highs on Friday reached 98-degrees. The last time it was that hot on that date was in 1929.
Temperatures on Saturday continue to be in the upper 80s to upper 90s, depending on the area. A heat advisory is in place for the Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 20 corridor, beginning in Ashton and continuing southwest towards Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Blackfoot and Pocatello. Much of southeast Idaho is outside the area under a heat advisory, including the communities of Driggs, Swan Valley, Soda Springs, Downey, Montpelier and Preston.
A red flag warning went into effect for all of eastern Idaho at 1 p.m. and will continue until 9 p.m.
“A Red Flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly” based on certain criteria, the Pocatello bureau says on its website.
The NWS lists one of its criteria as relative humidity at or below 15% with wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain. Saturday’s forecast includes gusts over 35 mph peaking between 45 and 55 mph.
Thunderstorm coverage of 25% is also part of the criteria, although a specific rainfall amount is not listed. Scattered thunderstorms, meaning a mix of wet and dry storms, are possible on Saturday. This could result in new fire starts, according to the NWS.
Other high impact events deemed critical by the National Weather Service and area fire management agencies is the third component.
Forecasters are reminding the public to stay hydrated and avoid exposure to the heat for long periods of time.
The latest conditions and a complete seven-day forecast in your area are available here.
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