textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Major warming trend continues with record high temperatures through Friday.

- Breezy wind gusts of 25-35 mph each afternoon.

- Dry until the weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1248 PM MDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Another few days of record warmth are ahead of us with temperatures forecast to range 20 to 30 degrees above climatological norms through Friday. The record high temperature for March 18 in Pocatello (71 degrees) has already been broken this afternoon. If forecast highs are achieved at our climate sites today, it will mean March all-time maximum high records will be broken at Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Burley today with new all-time records achieved Thursday and again on Friday! The National Blend suggests a greater than 90% probability of the eastern Magic Valley reaching 80 degrees on Friday, with an 85% chance for Pocatello, decreasing further north to around 50% to 60% chance in Idaho Falls. Southwest winds will continue to run a bit breezy each afternoon, with gusts around 20 to 30 mph. Heading into the weekend, an area of low pressure further north will flatten the ridge and cool temperatures off by up to 20 degrees between Friday and Sunday. Winds will also increase during the weekend/early next week as flow aloft turns zonal. Precipitation chances will also increase through the middle of next week as the trough drops into the PacNW, although 500 mb clusters suggest some differences in depth and timing of this system.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 428 PM MDT Wed Mar 18 2026

High pressure has built even stronger, pushing the storm track much farther south and providing SKC at all airdromes. VSBY is also unlimited. Some cirrus may filter into the northeast corner tomorrow (Thu) night, bringing FEW200 to KDIJ and KIDA.

The wind continues at a moderate level with G25KT at KBYI, KPIH, KIDA, and KDIJ. But this will not last beyond sunset, so by 19/02 or 19/03 slope-valley interactions should bring the wind around to more southerly component, or even VRB for a small while, at these airports. KSUN did not last long today from the southeast with the wind aloft being moderate at 15KT to 30KT from the northwest, so as mixing occurs in the afternoon, the shift to southeast is brief at best, and expected to be non- existent on Thu--at least, for now.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.