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Dispersion Discussion March 23 2026
Dan Borsum NRCC Predictive Services Meteorologist
Smoke Dispersion Maps and charts on the NRCC Website will be updated MTWTF.
Discussions will be updated Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday and posted to the other days.
Overall comment: temperatures are generally staying above normal which is helping distribute smoke more than normal this time of year. Lack of snow cover is a factor. POOR dispersion forecasts appear to be a bit on the pessimistic side.
Monday weak high pressure over northern ID and northwest MT will support morning inversions but afternoon sunshine should help with mixing and support FAIR dispersion. Central and southern ID and central and eastern MT look warmer and more unstable which support GOOD dispersion.
Tuesday the morning inversions will be stronger and may be more difficult to break if some high cloud cover limits afternoon heating. POOR dispersion northwest MT and north ID. Warmer temperatures and more unstable the rest of the region with afternoon winds for GOOD dispersion. Tuesday night front begins moving through ID to bring improving dispersion overnight.
Wednesday is unstable with a cold front crossing the region. Breezy condition with VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT dispersion. This is another day with possible problems with controlling burning.
Thursday is cooler and breezy behind the front with GOOD to EXCELLENT dispersion.
Friday high pressure begins to dominate the region for widespread POOR dispersion.