textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Patchy dense fog and resultant reduced visibility could impact the morning commute today.

- Mid-Week Warmth: Valley temperatures climb into the mid to upper 50s by Wednesday before a cooling trend arrives Thursday.

- Mountain Snow: A weather system Wednesday and Thursday will bring several inches of snow to the central mountains and eastern highlands, primarily above 6,0006,500 feet.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 124 AM MST Tue Mar 3 2026

Early morning satellite shows areas of low stratus and fog developing in the wake of clearing mid-level and high clouds. Once low stratus and any fog clears late morning/early afternoon, mostly clear skies are expected for a brief period, which should allow daytime temperatures to warm by several more degrees as compared to yesterday's highs before high-level clouds begin shifting into eastern Idaho early this evening ahead of the incoming system. The current forecast features another several degree warmup during the day Wednesday for the Snake River Plain and areas further south ahead of a cooler, wetter, and breezier pattern late week. The limiting factor will be cloud cover, which may inhibit daytime warming on Wednesday. The approaching PacNW trough will move onshore Wednesday with precipitation first reaching central Idaho Wednesday afternoon/evening and further east during the evening and nighttime hours. Many valley locations will see a 10 degree, give or take a few degrees, drop in temperatures on Thursday behind the cold front, meaning temperatures closer to seasonal norms. Widespread PoPs over 60% will linger through the day Thursday as the trough axis swings though Nevada and Utah. Storm total snow accumulation through Thursday or Friday, depending on the location, is generally 3" to 6" at or above 6,000 feet, with locally higher amounts along the highest elevations. Light snow, around an inch or two, will be possible between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. Slight changes to the temperature and snow level forecasts could mean light snow reaching valley floors during the overnight hours. Winds will increase beginning Wednesday and remain breezy through Thursday, especially in the South Hills region and portions of the eastern Magic Valley, as well as ridgetops of the central mountains. Gusts in these regions will range in excess of 45 mph, with the National Blend 24- hour max wind gust forecast suggesting 45 to 55 mph across the aforementioned areas on Thursday.

Despite some differences still in how models are handling the upper- level patten heading into later Friday and the weekend, they all suggest a transition to drier conditions and a warming trend through the first part of next week as pressure builds overhead again. Models then suggest another Pacific trough heading into early to middle of next week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 450 AM MST Tue Mar 3 2026

IFR/LIFR CIGs and/or VIS observed early this morning in stratus and fog at KPIH, KIDA, and KIDA. Improvement expected late morning with VFR conditions forecast through the remainder of the period. Expect increasing high clouds later this evening ahead of the next system arriving tomorrow, with precipitation reaching KSUN after 18z, just outside of this TAF period.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning for IDZ053-065- 066.