textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Widespread Hard Freeze: Sub-freezing temperatures are expected again through Saturday night, and Freeze Warnings remains in effect to protect vulnerable early-season vegetation.

- Dry Weekend Transition: High pressure building over the region will ensure dry conditions with lighter winds and clearing skies through Sunday.

- Significant Warming Trend: A major warm-up begins Sunday with high pressure amplifying, returning temperatures to the 70s in lower valleys by early next week.

- Mid-Week Active Pattern: A broad Pacific system is progged to move inland late Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing cooler temperatures and increased precipitation chances to Eastern Idaho.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 119 AM MDT Sat Apr 18 2026

A widespread hard freeze remains ongoing across the region this morning, with high pressure continuing to build in the wake of a departing cold upper trough. While some mid-to-high level clouds may filter through during the afternoon, dry conditions will prevail as skies gradually clear. An additional Freeze Warning remains in effect for Saturday night into Sunday morning to account for another night of sub-freezing temperatures, although overnight lows in the mid-20s to lower 30s will not be as extreme as previous nights.

High pressure will amplify significantly throughout the weekend, initiating a robust warming trend. Temperatures are expected to climb well above seasonal norms by Sunday, with highs returning to the 70s for lower valley locations. This mild and dry regime continues into the start of the work week, with mid-to-upper 70s possible through Tuesday.

The next weather system is expected to shift inland by Wednesday as a broad upper-level low moves out of the Pacific and into the Intermountain West. This pattern change will usher in cooler temperatures and higher precipitation chances for the latter half of the work week. The surface pressure gradient is also expected to tighten during the Tuesday through Thursday timeframe, likely resulting in several breezy days across the region. Current ensemble guidance suggests this system will be warmer than the most recent cold snap; consequently, rain is expected to be the dominant precipitation type below 6,500 feet, though light snowfall remains possible for higher elevations. Confidence in the exact timing and progression of this mid-to- late week system remains low as models continue to show spread in the eventual track of the upper trough.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 416 AM MDT Sat Apr 18 2026

VFR conditions to prevail through the period. Will see some SCT/BKN mid to high level clouds streak over the area during the afternoon hours but these should be of no impact. High pressure building over the region will keep Eastern Idaho precip free and winds relatively light at around 10 kts or less.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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