textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- A few snow showers will be possible throughout tonight, but most areas will be dry with some sunshine today.

- Light rain and snow picks up again Sunday afternoon for many locations. Precipitation threat continues each period through at least Thursday.

- Windy to very windy conditions should peak today in the Snake River plain/eastern Magic Valley/southern hills and subside by evening.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 133 PM MST Sat Dec 6 2025

Satellite imagery shows fast northwest flow still in place over East Idaho, and there is little upstream to significantly change this pattern. Across East Idaho, mid level cloud cover drapes the mountain areas, and a few showers remain possible this evening into tonight. Accumulations should remain minimal, with little to no impact. Gusty winds across the south expected to continue to diminish through the evening. Next shortwave upstream arrives Sunday, with showers increasing throughout the day and continuing through Sunday night. Temperatures at lower elevations remain mild, with rain or a rain/snow mix up to about 5000 ft. Snow levels could be slightly higher across the South Hills and Albion mountains. The focus for precipitation will remain focused across the western edges of the central mountains along and near the Sawtooths, and along the highlands between I-15 and the WY border. Model probabilistic spread supports 2-6" across the higher elevations, potentially impacting Galena Summit, Pine Creek Pass, and the Island Park region. No winter related headlines are anticipated at this time.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 133 PM MST Sat Dec 6 2025

Main feature and impacts in the initial time frame of the long term will be an extended atmospheric river event with large quantities of Pacific moisture transported into Idaho from the Pacific northwest. Heaviest precipitation will likely be Tuesday and Wednesday. There is high chances of over 1 inch qpf mainly in the Sawtooths, central mountains and eastern mountains. It will be an extremely warm event with snow levels beginning at 6 to 7 thousand feet Monday rising to 7500 to 8500 feet Wednesday. So any heavy snow accumulations are expected to be well above 7 thousand feet with widespread rain likely in lower elevations in the Monday through Wednesday period. Highs in the Monday through Saturday period will be extremely warm as much as 15 degrees above normal mainly in the 40s and into the mid 50s lower elevations. Windy conditions expected Tuesday through Thursday in this pattern especially in the Snake River Plain. Travel impacts in this event are mainly expected at pass levels where the heaviest snow will occur, but as mentioned snow levels will be extremely high through the week.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/

Issued at 438 PM MST Sat Dec 6 2025

Other than wrapping up a few more snow showers near KDIJ through 05z/10pm, all terminals will see VFR conditions this evening and tonight. There is a low chance of low stratus developing near KIDA with mixed signals in the guidance, but confidence is low, and have only hinted at development for now with FEW015. Clouds increase/thicken again Sunday as some more moisture heads our way on northwest flow. Some CAMs are generating bonafide showers over portions of the forecast area by afternoon, but for now have gone VCSH everywhere but KDIJ where at least MVFR conditions are expected with snow showers. Will continue to monitor trends/agreement in high- res guidance for precip potential Sunday.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.