textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Incoming low will trigger very windy conditions in portions of the Snake River plain today and the early evening.

- Low brings a slight chance of precipitation to the central Idaho mountains today and the upper Snake River highlands tonight.

- Low also brings moderate to strong cooling today and even more cooling from today to Monday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 141 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026

Today through Tue night...Closed upper level low will move slowly through the ID panhandle today and reach north central MT by Mon morning. This far south, only the extreme northern end of the forecast area has any sort of risk for precipitation, and near zero chance of thunderstorms. Once the low passes to the east, dry westerly flow fills in behind it. A second low digs along the US West coast, arriving at the OR-CA border at the end of this period. This allows a weak ridge over the forecast area with a shift to southwest flow. This will mean nearly clear skies and zero chance of precipitation, with warming starting Tue and continuing Wed.

The first low has a strong jet streak on the southern side of the low that moves through the forecast area, supporting much stronger wind at the surface. The wind is strong enough on the northwest side of the Snake River plain to trigger a Wind Advisory from late this morning to early evening. After this, the gradient relaxes overnight and do not expect a repeat on Mon.

Wed through Sat...The upper level low at the coast starts moving inland, bring a chance for precipitation and thunderstorms on Wed night through Thu night. This low brings another wind event on Thu and Thu night. Another high moves in behind and keeps conditions dry and warm through the end of the period. Temperatures stay above normal through this period.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/

Issued at 514 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026

Wind will start out gusty and peak in the mid-day, then subside until mid-evening, when sustained and gusts increase again. This is all thanks to a front moving through during those overnight hours. Mainly gusty from the southwest to west. Occasional CIGs, but nothing is expected to be impactful; mid-level if it happens at all at a particular airdrome. Except until tonight at KDIJ. This is where the front passes the last, and with the mountains and westerly or southerly component to the wind, showers are expected during the hours after 14/04Z tonight. With the showers expect CIG of 6,000ft AGL, nothing worse.

VSBY expected to be unlimited/P6SM.

Strongest wind at KIDA with G30KT. There is potential for even stronger, as just west of there area forecasted G45KT.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 141 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026

A low moving through the panhandle and western MT today and tonight will produce windy to very windy conditions today, but fortunately this low also brings in cooler air and higher humidity. The wind ends overnight and high pressure returns through Wed afternoon. Wind will be much calmer Tue and a warming trend develops under nearly clear skies. The next low arrives Wed night, bringing wind, showers, and thunderstorms.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wind Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 7 PM MDT this evening for IDZ052-067.