EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH: Weather service issues warning for East Idaho as dangerous temps of up to 105 degrees expected this week

Dangerous temps of up to 105 degrees are expected to arrive in much of East Idaho on Wednesday and stay through at least the end of the week.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch calling for daytime high temps of between 100 and 105 degrees in Pocatello, Chubbuck, Blackfoot, American Falls, Preston and other local cities.

The weather service is calling the incoming heat wave an "extreme heat event" and is urging local people to take precautions.

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the weather service stated. "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes."

The extremely hot temps will also create an explosive wildfire threat for East Idaho and red flag warnings are expected to be issued for the region this week.

The incoming heat definitely has the potential to shatter records in East Idaho and the scorching temps might stick around through next week and possibly beyond.

"Our long range forecast guidance shows very little in the way of relief through the middle of the month," the weather service stated. "There is a 70 percent to 80 percent chance of above-normal temperatures continuing through the week of July 21-27."

The areas expected to experience daytime highs of 100 to 105 degrees Wednesday morning through Saturday afternoon are Pocatello, Chubbuck, American Falls, Aberdeen, Fort Hall, Burley, Rupert, Raft River, Declo, Blackfoot, Shelley, Firth, Atomic City, Preston and Malad.

The rest of East Idaho will only be slightly cooler with daytime high temps in the high 90s likely in most of the region Wednesday morning through Saturday afternoon, including lower elevations such as the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rigby and Rexburg and highlands such as Lava Hot Springs, Inkom, McCammon, Arimo, Downey, Montpelier, Paris, Georgetown, St. Charles, Soda Springs, Bancroft, Grace, Bone, Rockland, Arbon, Driggs, Thatcher and St. Anthony.

The weather service said what will make this heat wave so difficult to endure is that starting Wednesday evening nighttime lows in East Idaho will be in the 60s in many areas.

The warm nighttime temps "could compound the impacts of the expected multi-day heat wave," the weather service said.

"Heat building into (this) week will affect anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration," the weather service stated. "Precautions should be taken now and in advance of this expected intense and prolonged heat wave."

The heat wave will also impact the rest of the state. The central Idaho mountains including Challis, Mackay and Hailey are under an excessive heat watch, while south central Idaho including Twin Falls and Jerome are under a heat advisory, and southwest Idaho including Boise and Mountain Home as well as North Idaho are under excessive heat warnings and heat advisories.

Severe heat warnings are also in effect in Montana, Oregon, Washington state, Nevada and Utah.

Stay with idahostatejournal.com for the latest updates on the incoming heat wave.