textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Chances for snow continues into Wednesday night

- Heavier snow expected along and east of I-15 in the higher elevations

- Brisk conditions continue into Wednesday evening

DISCUSSION

Issued at 306 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026

A low pressure system will lift northward out of northeast Nevada through central Idaho and into southwest Montana today. Snow associated with an associated warm frontal boundary is lifting north through east Idaho early this morning. Later this morning, closer to midday, we'll see the cold front push through east Idaho. Snow amounts seem like they have come into better agreement. Heaviest amounts are over the eastern and southeast highlands with 4 to 8 inches likely in the lower valleys with up to a foot on passes, upper slopes, and ridges. The snow totals for the Snake River Plain and eastern Magic Valley are sitting around an inch or two. Meanwhile, the central mountains are roughly looking at 1 to 4 in the valleys with up to 7 inches on upper slopes and ridges. The one thing that could really upset the forecast totals in the Snake River Plain would be the convergence event for Wednesday night into Thursday morning which the models have been picking up on. Right now, that looks like an additional inch maybe two depending upon where it sets up and for how long. Winds will increase significantly behind the front tomorrow afternoon with models showing a 70% chance that we'll see advisory level winds across the lower Snake Plain into the eastern Magic Valley and south hills.

As we move into Thursday and Friday, there may still be a few snow showers around because of the upper level trough passing through. Although additional snow amounts look light. Once again, this assumes that the convergence band from Wednesday night weakens by Thursday morning. The weekend continues to look mostly dry with a ridge of high pressure sliding through.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 306 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026

Snow will produce IFR conditions this morning at PIH, IDA and DIJ. SUN is sitting the fence between MVFR and IFR with the heaviest snow skirting to their south. Winds at SUN will be upvalley until frontal passage around mid morning with gusty crosswind likely for this afternoon. Expect brisk conditions to develop this afternoon at Snake Plain sites.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wind Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening for IDZ051-054>057. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 AM MST Thursday for IDZ058-059- 061>067. Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Thursday for IDZ060.