ALTA, Wyo. — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pocatello, Idaho, has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Teton Valley on Friday afternoon.

The warning will be in effect from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday for scattered thunderstorms in Fire Weather Zone 411, which includes the mountains surrounding Teton Valley. The affected area is listed as the Centennial Mountains, Snake River Range and Targhee National Forest; this contains Alta and the western slope of the Tetons. Fire Weather Zone 413 is also under the warning, which is directly south of 411, and encompasses the Caribou Range and Caribou National Forest.

Fire Weather Zone map. Screenshot: NWS

“Coverage of thunderstorms increases tomorrow, with all except the lower elevations expecting lightning activity to increase as thunderstorm coverage exceeds 25% in many locations,” NWS wrote. “Some areas in the central Idaho mountains may see wetting rains, but it will be limited to the highest elevations there.”

The weather warning states that scattered thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning that could produce wildfire starts in “receptive fuels.” Rainfall accumulation of less than 0.1 inch is expected in the Big Hole Mountains and in the Wyoming portions of Targhee National Forest. “Erratic winds suddenly gusting to 50 mph are possible,” NWS said.

There are currently fire restrictions in place for Teton County, Idaho, and the unincorporated area in Teton County, Wyoming, west of the Teton Range, including Alta.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.