textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Weak system tomorrow could bring some light snow accumulations to parts of eastern Idaho

- Warming trend will continue through the weekend, with little significant precipitation in sight

- Rebuilding ridge of high pressure could provide renewed bouts of low clouds and fog at times this coming week. Confidence in this is low though.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 114 PM MST Tue Jan 27 2026

Ample sunshine in place across eastern Idaho this afternoon with high pressure in place although things will change over the next 12- 24 hours as the ridge is quickly replaced by a fast moving shortwave moving into the PacNW this afternoon. Clouds and moisture associated with this feature will move quickly towards the region during the late evening and overnight hours. Probably the biggest forecast change will be the increase in PoPs throughout the area compared to a mere 24 hours ago. Hi-res CAMs continue to show a bit more moisture expected with this shortwave than what was originally forecast and now it appears that some light snow accumulations will be possible in association with this feature. Main focus will be across the eastern and southeastern highlands where a quick 1-2 inches are now forecast with a dusting to maybe half an inch or so in much of the Snake Plain. This will be a fast-moving feature with the onset of precip beginning in the AM and should be out of the area by late evening tomorrow. As such, it's not a high impact system but some light accumulations certainly seem feasible which wasn't the case just a day or two ago. Temperatures remain around seasonal levels today and tomorrow, the exception to this being around the Stanley Basin where things continue to run well below guidance and has been adjusted downward, accordingly. In the wake of the quick moving trough, high pressure again looks to take control with above normal temps likely in the extended. More on that below.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 114 PM MST Tue Jan 27 2026

High pressure will be building back in over Eastern Idaho on Thursday behind the weak shortwave on Wednesday. There may still be some light snow lingering in parts of the Eastern Highlands early Thursday, but it looks like little if any accumulation by that point. Temperatures will be gradually warming as we end the week and go through the weekend with highs ranging from mid 30s to mid 40s by Friday afternoon and most into the 40s if not pushing closer to 50 by Sunday afternoon. In fact, the NBM shows about a 50 to 60 percent chance of Pocatello exceeding 50 degrees on Sunday and shows a 70 to 90 percent chance of highs exceeding 50 degrees from Rockland to Burley to Malta. Another weak shortwave compresses the ridge ever so slightly late Friday into Saturday, but that looks to only translate into some light snow for the higher elevations of the Central Mountains and Eastern Highlands once again before high pressure is solidly back in place for the rest of the weekend. Highs will drop just a couple of degrees early next week as yet another weak shortwave passes through the area, but this one again looks to just bring light snow to our mountains and little to no precipitation elsewhere. We will keep an eye on these shortwaves as the NBM seems to not have the best handle on these until almost 24 hours beforehand.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 422 PM MST Tue Jan 27 2026

VFR conditions through early afternoon Wednesday with only mid and high level cloud ceilings. An upper level trof moves through late Wednesday and added some VCSH and prob30 snow groups at BYI, PIH, and IDA after 20Z and predominant snow group at DIJ after 21Z. There is at least a chance of MVFR ceilings at those sites late tomorrow afternoon and have it in the prob30 groups. Low confidence in timing of snow as low levels very dry and could take a very long time to moisten up low levels enough to precipitate.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.