textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Widespread Hard Freeze: Sub-freezing temperatures are expected again through Saturday morning, and a Freeze Warning is in effect to protect vulnerable vegetation.

- Transition to Dry Weather: Lingering snow showers will taper off this morning, though isolated activity remains possible this afternoon before high pressure takes hold.

- Significant Warming Trend: Temperatures will climb from seasonal levels on Saturday to well above normal by Sunday, with widespread 70s expected early next week.

- Mid-Week Precip Potential: Dry conditions persist through the weekend into Tuesday, with the next weather system likely bringing rain to elevations below 7,000 feet by Wednesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1240 AM MDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The bulk of the recent precipitation has exited the region, though some lingering snow showers continue this morning. These are expected to taper off over the next few hours, but the forecast remains slightly unsettled through the afternoon. Eastern Idaho currently resides on the western edge of a departing upper-level trough; as a lobe of energy swings through the area later today, we may see additional isolated to scattered snow showers before high pressure builds in earnest tonight.

The primary concern for the next 24 to 48 hours remains the unseasonably cold temperatures. A widespread hard freeze is occurring this morning, and another is expected tonight into Saturday morning. Consequently, an additional Freeze Warning has been issued for Saturday morning. While temperatures tomorrow morning may trend a few degrees warmer than today, they will still be low enough to constitute a widespread hard freeze, posing a continued risk to early-season growth.

Relief arrives quickly as we head into the weekend, with strong high pressure building over the region to ensure dry conditions. Saturday will feature more seasonal temperatures, which will serve as a bridge to a much warmer regime. By Sunday and continuing into early next week, readings will climb well above normal, with widespread highs in the 70s anticipated.

Dry weather should prevail from Saturday through the first half of Tuesday. Precipitation is progged to return as early as late Tuesday, though Wednesday currently looks more likely as the next upper-level trough approaches the Intermountain West. This upcoming system appears significantly warmer than its predecessor, suggesting that precipitation will remain mostly rain for locations below 7,000 feet. However, it is important to note that forecast confidence in the details remains low, as global models have struggled for several days with the exact timing and evolution of this mid-week disturbance.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 520 AM MDT Fri Apr 17 2026

VFR conditions in place this morning as widespread precip has ended, for now. Hi-res models show redevelopment of SHSN in the early afternoon across the eastern half of the region with impacts seeming most likely at KIDA and KDIJ. At this time, some localized MVFR reductions seem possible with snow showers and PROB30 groups remain in place, accordingly. At KPIH and KSUN, chances look fairly low but maintained VCSH for continuity but this could be a tad overdone. After this round of shower activity ends later this evening, high pressure will build over the region allowing for VFR conditions to prevail into the weekend. Winds today will be much lighter than the past few days generally running in the 10-15 kt range with some occasional higher gusts.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Freeze Warning until 10 AM MDT this morning for IDZ051>055. Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 10 AM MDT Saturday for IDZ051>055.