Show Information for:
Dispersion Discussion April 16 2026
Dan Borsum NRCC Predictive Services Meteorologist
Smoke Dispersion Maps and charts on the NRCC Website will be updated MTWTF.
Friday is cool but unstable and expect drier air to support better sunshine with low level warming. This should support GOOD to VERY GOOD dispersion in MT and central and southern ID. A few locations may see lighter winds like AS 11 and 14 for POOR to FAIR dispersion. Heavy snow in AS 8A may cause stronger inversions and limit dispersion to POOR to FAIR.
Saturday high pressure moves into ID while low pressure exits MT to the east. Airmass becomes more stable over western ID as the high pressure moves in with winds aloft becoming light. POOR to FAIR over most of ID except FAIR to GOOD for parts of southeast ID. MT weaker inversion with more favorable pressure gradients for stronger winds with FAIR to GOOD dispersion despite cool temperatures.
Sunday is similar to Saturday with winds even lighter and inversions even stronger over northern and central ID for POOR to FAIR dispersion. Southern ID warms better for FAIR to GOOD dispersion. Northwest MT will have moderate inversions and light winds for POOR to FAIR dispersion with FAIR to GOOD the rest of MT.