Middle Fork Salmon River

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Middle Fork Salmon River, Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho, United States
Middle Fork Salmon River, Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho, United States. Image by Rex Parker via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Today’s Forecast:

☀
84°F
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KMYL
Observed at: 4:00 pm
Wind: 13 mph | Humidity: %
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 26 at 10:29AM MDT by NWS Boise ID (Expires: July 27, 2026 1:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 2 PM MDT TUESDAY. * IMPACTS...Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Instructions: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is prohibited by air quality rule. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. THIS STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY GROUP FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEQ's Boise Regional Office at (208) 373-0550
This Afternoon:Smoke. Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight:Smoke. Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind 2 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Monday:Smoke. Sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 2 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Today’s Report:

🛶 Paddling

Use Caution
  45 /100

Use Caution for paddling. High near 84°F. Low rain risk (2%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 45/100
Use Caution for paddling. High near 82°F. Breezy winds (15 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

⛺ Camping

Use Caution
  47 /100

Use Caution for camping. High near 84°F. Low rain risk (2%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 47/100
Use Caution for camping. High near 82°F. Breezy winds (15 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

🥾 Hiking

Use Caution
  46 /100

Use Caution for hiking. High near 84°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (15 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 46/100
Use Caution for hiking. High near 82°F. Light wind (15 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

About Middle Fork Salmon River

Middle Fork Salmon River is an Idaho destination for a nationally known permit river through remote wilderness.

Make the Most of a Middle Fork Salmon River Day

Match the route, launch, facility, or turnaround time to wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water, snow, road access, and daylight. Keep a shorter or more sheltered backup ready.

Weather Tips for Middle Fork Salmon River

  • Check official access notices, alerts, road or trail conditions, fire restrictions, and local forecasts before leaving.
  • Check river flow, reservoir wind, cold-water conditions, waves, lightning, and verified local ice reports before water plans; no forecast alone proves that ice is safe.
  • Carry layers, water, navigation, sun protection, and seasonal traction or flotation appropriate to the activity.
  • Allow extra time for remote roads, mountain passes, wildfire smoke, spring runoff, and limited winter daylight.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Boundary Creek
  • Indian Creek
  • Big Creek
  • Impassable Canyon
  • Cache Bar

Plan Around the Conditions

Choose the safest version of a Middle Fork Salmon River day by matching the activity to current wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water or snow conditions, access, and daylight.

7-Day Forecast for Middle Fork Salmon River

☀
84°F
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KMYL
Observed at: 4:00 pm
Wind: 13 mph | Humidity: %
Sun 🌫
84° 56°
2%
Mon 🌫
83° 55°
0%
Tue 🌫
85° 57°
0%
Wed 🌫
85° 58°
1%
Thu ☀
87° 59°
0%
Fri ☀
88° 60°
0%
Sat ☀
88° 57°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

84° Sun 83° Mon 85° Tue 85° Wed 87° Thu 88° Fri 88° Sat

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

56° Sun 55° Mon 57° Tue 58° Wed 59° Thu 60° Fri 57° Sat

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 12 Sun 12 Mon 12 Tue 12 Wed 20 Thu 20 Fri 20 Sat
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: July 26, 2026 4:32 pm CDT

Middle Fork Salmon River Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Middle Fork Salmon River can bring snow, ice, wind, short daylight, and rapidly changing road or trail access.

Spring

Spring brings freeze-thaw mud, snowmelt, high rivers, cold water, and lingering mountain snow. Lower routes usually open well before high passes and backcountry trailheads.

Summer

Summer usually offers the broadest access, but dry heat, thunderstorms, lightning, wildfire smoke, fire restrictions, reservoir wind, and cold mountain water can alter plans.

Fall

Fall brings cooler air, shorter daylight, hunting-season awareness, and early snow at elevation. Confirm seasonal services and allow extra travel time on remote roads.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: around 46–52°F, using the relevant local and elevation context.
  • Annual snowfall: commonly 15–45 inches at river level and far more in surrounding mountains.
  • Warmest months: July and August are normally warmest.
  • Coolest months: December and January are typically coolest.
  • Wettest season: winter and spring usually provide the greatest mountain precipitation, with local variation.
  • Driest season: midsummer is generally driest, despite isolated thunderstorms.
  • Best outdoor window: June through October for warm-season access, with midwinter best at established winter destinations.