textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Wind Advisory for South Hills, eastern Magic Valley, and Snake River Plain through this morning.

- Winter Weather Advisory for Central Mountains and Eastern Highlands tonight through this morning.

- Winter Storm Warning for Bear River Range through early Thursday morning.

- More snow Tuesday night into Wednesday for many.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 303 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026

First storm is moving through the region this morning. High elevation snow is falling ahead of a cold front which is pushing through east Idaho during the early morning hours. We have seen gusty conditions in many parts of south Idaho with several reports in the 40s and 50s. Expect the winds to weaken below advisory levels by afternoon. We could see some light snow down to the valley floors for a couple hours this morning after the cold front passes. However accumulations look light as drier air will quickly work into the region. Current headlines still look reasonable with a storm total of up to 8 inches below 7000 feet and up to a foot above 7000 feet.

Almost as soon as the first storm exits, the second storm moves into the area. We'll see showers ahead of this second system arrive late this afternoon. Snow levels will be down to valley floors so anything that falls will stick. However, the better accumulations will likely hold off until late tonight into Wednesday morning when the low pressure system works through the region. Like the first system, we will see some southerly winds ahead of a cold front which will limit our precipitation totals. Am very concerned about forecast snow totals with this second system. Have the highest confidence in the snow totals across the eastern highlands where nearly all models show widespread snow for several hours late tonight into Wednesday morning. The lower elevations will likely see 3 to 8 inches with up to a foot on upper slopes and ridges. Forecast snow amounts in the Snake Plain and eastern Magic Valley range from 1 to 3 inches. But the best probabilities are generally under 2 inches. The GFS qpf seems to be the real driver for snowfall in the Snake Plain while many of the other high resolution models show lesser amounts, perhaps accounting for some downslope effects. As with the current system. Best chances for snow in the Snake Plain and Magic Valley seem to be for a few hours along and behind the front when the downslope effects are lessened. It looks like there's a greater than 50% chance that some areas in the Snake Plain and eastern Magic Valley could reach wind advisory levels for a brief time Wednesday afternoon.

Chances for light snow continue through the end of the week as the upper trough swings through the region. However, snow amounts look light with little or no impacts expected. Still looks like mainly dry weather for the weekend with a ridge amplifying overhead.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 303 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026

Widespread snow moving through should dissipate at SUN and DIJ around or shortly after 12z this morning. Anticipate snow clearing IDA and PIH after 15z, and DIJ after 18z. Winds will be strongest this morning diminishing somewhat this afternoon. Winds at SUN may be a bit confused today. Models supporting an upvalley wind for a few hours this morning, before turning downvalley for late morning and then a crosswind out of the west for the afternoon. Next round of snow arrives late this afternoon in the form of showers. May not become widespread until after 06z tonight.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wind Advisory until 9 AM MST this morning for IDZ051>057. Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Thursday for IDZ060. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for IDZ061>064-066-067-071>074.