textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry weather expected through at least the middle of next week

- Limited potential for fog or stratus

- A slight cooldown expected but temperatures still at or just above average

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 107 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

Only real impact is the potential for low clouds and stratus developing towards morning. Already many Snake Plain observation sites are showing some reduced visibilities. Will it be widespread enough for an advisory, probably not, but could definitely see some areas of some very dense fog for the morning. This would likely lift by late morning. Otherwise another day under the ridge with slightly above normal highs and light winds.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1226 PM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

We will remain in north or northwest flow into early next week. We still have the potential with any low clipping the Divide to see a few flurries around Island Park, but nothing measurable or impactful is expected. It is also appears with the ridge slipping west, the potential for any fog or stratus decreases again. We will have to wait and see if that rends back the other way. Temperatures appear to rebound a bit, but no major warm up is on tap for us...just likely to see a few more spots back into the lower 40s. In terms of when it MIGHT rain or snow again, we are still an overall pattern change by the middle of next week. The Blend of Models brings some light precipitation into the mountains Wednesday. However, the trend has been to decrease that chance. If and when we see some precipitation around here likely holds off until Thursday or later.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 321 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

Main issue this morning is patchy fog at PIH, IDA and BYI. All three of these sites has potential to reach VLIFR at least temporarily, but the odds? The high res models and NBM seem to be overdoing fog across the Snake Plain this morning. Best guess is this morning is IDA, which sits along the river and does tend to tank in these types of situations will see VLIFR conditions early this morning. But less confidence at PIH and BYI. Looks like downvalley winds may prevail at SUN into early or mid afternoon before a light upvalley wind develops.

AIR QUALITY

Issued at 1226 PM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

An AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY remains in place for the Pocatello area, our side of the Cache Valley, and south of Malad toward Samaria. We will continue to see limited mixing and lighter winds for the next several days. Something to watch will be the ridge shifting back to the west, and northerly flow picks up a bit across central and eastern Idaho. Whether that is strong enough to kick up any wind or mix out inversions and "clear" the air remains to be seen. We will not look at extending/canceling the headline until we see how things trend in the next couple of days.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Air Stagnation Advisory until noon MST Sunday for IDZ054-059.