Monday starts a warmer stretch across southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon, with a few thunderstorms possible across southern portions of the region.
Storms are expected to develop around midday near Twin Falls before spreading into Owyhee County and parts of southeast Oregon during the afternoon. Most of the activity should stay south of the Snake River, with storms winding down around sunset. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Monday afternoon and evening for the Owyhee Mountains and Southern Highlands as thunderstorms could increase the risk for new fire starts.
The watch runs from noon through 8 p.m. Monday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected across southern Idaho, bringing abundant lightning and the potential for gusty, erratic outflow winds up to 50 mph.
With dry conditions already in place, any fires that develop could spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. The National Weather Service says it could upgrade the watch to a Red Flag Warning if critical fire weather conditions become more likely.
Despite increasing cloud cover, temperatures will climb about 4 to 8 degrees warmer than Sunday. The warming continues Tuesday, when highs could reach the mid to upper 90s across the Snake River Plain, with 80s and 90s elsewhere.
Most of the region dries out after Monday. There is a slight chance for thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon, mainly across the central Idaho mountains and near the Idaho-Nevada border.
The second half of the week looks generally dry and breezy. Temperatures will gradually cool after Wednesday, but highs are still expected to remain a few degrees above normal. A few afternoon storms could return near the Idaho-Nevada border heading into the weekend.
