textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Breezy conditions with some blowing dust through Thursday

- Warmer temperatures with 70s returning through Wednesday

- Potential pattern changing coming next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1201 PM MDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Winds will be the main story through Thursday, as low pressure races by to our north. We will likely see a few showers across portions of the central mountains and eastern highlands, but precipitation amounts will be very low. Winds are picking up through this evening, pushing 35-45 mph across portions of the Upper Snake Plain, portions of the central mountains (including the Challis, Pahsimeroi, and Lost River Valleys), and the benches between Rexburg and St. Anthony. With plowing season in full swing, some blowing dust is expected. We opted for NO wind-related headlines today, but that could change through the afternoon. There is a 30% or higher chance of exceeding 45 mph in those areas this afternoon and evening. Tomorrow looks like the day with the strongest winds. Gusts of 25-35 mph are likely areawide, with stronger winds across portions of the central mountains, eastern highlands, and upper end of the Snake Plain. Gusts of 35-55 mph are expected across lower elevations with some ridgeline winds in the central mountains topping out around 60 mph. Due to the higher likelihood of reaching WIND ADVISORY thresholds, we did issue those headlines for the Upper Snake Plain, Lost River/Challis/Pahsimeroi Valleys, and the Highlands including Monida Pass westward. Blowing dust potential is also higher tomorrow. There is a 60%+ chance of seeing gusts over 45 mph and a 20-60% chance of exceeding 55 mph at lower elevations. Stronger winds continue Wednesday night and Thursday. We may need another set of headlines for the Lower Snake Plain, Magic Valley and the South Hills depending on how quickly the front swings through tomorrow night and Thursday. Right now, the Blend of Models is showing a 20-70% chance (elevation dependent) of exceeding 45 mph and 10-40% chance of stronger than 55 mph.

The rest of the forecast is a bit of a roller coaster ride. Temperatures rush back into the 60s and 70s through tomorrow. We will be flirting or tying records at our main climate sites both days. Behind the front on Thursday, highs drop back into the 50s at lower elevations...which is still at or just above average. Highs quickly rebound into the 60s and 70s through the weekend, which more record highs potentially in jeopardy. Early next week, looks like we may switch from an high-pressure dominant pattern to low-pressure dominant pattern across the West. The chance of precipitation increases starting Monday.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 930 PM MDT Tue Mar 24 2026

An incoming dry cold front will bring mid-level clouds in during the late morning and afternoon hours, but only KPIH is expected to see CIGs, elsewhere just FEW-SCT coverage. VSBY should stay P6SM, but with wind potentially rising to 25KTG35KT in parts of the Snake River plain some reduced VSBY due to BLDU is possible; however, this usually takes place in areas north and west of the airports in the Snake River plain.

Wind will be moderate to strong but shold align with major runways at the airdromes in the Snake River plain. G25KT to G30KT are likely for KPIH and KIDA; KBYI should be peak at G20KT or so. KDIJ should see gusty south wind shift to the southwest. KSUN should see wind increase when the gradient shifts to southwest. For these two locations G25KT is the strongest expected.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for IDZ052-053- 067-068-070.