textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Breezy conditions are possible through Tuesday, but not as strong as Saturday

- Light rain and snow possible across the mountains tonight through Tuesday

- A major warming trend follows this system, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the 70s and lower 80s expected next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 126 PM MDT Sun Mar 15 2026

Satellite imagery shows northwest flow across Idaho with upper high centered off the California coast today. High clouds streaming across the region otherwise pattern is much quieter today compared to previous days, albeit much cooler. Some gusty winds are still in place, but max gusts today look to top out at 25-35 mph, which is below what sustained speeds reached on Saturday. Weak shortwaves driving over the top of the building ridge of high pressure tonight into Tuesday could produce a few light snow showers mainly across the Island park higher elevations and portions of the central mountains. Liquid QPF amounts remain extremely light, and impacts are expected to be minimal. Looking ahead into the week, upper ridge continues to strengthen over the western states, leading to a period of very strong warming for East Idaho. By Wednesday, almost all lower elevations will be into the 70s based on the deterministic NBM. It is important to note that the deterministic values are running several degrees below the ensemble spreads. Probabilistic data supports increasing chances for portions of the Snake Plain and surrounding valleys especially south to reach or exceed 80 by mid week. Record high temperatures will likely be threatened beginning as early as Tuesday and continuing through the remainder of the work week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 1041 PM MDT Sun Mar 15 2026

The area is under northwest flow aloft under overall high pressure. A weak wave of moisture will move the northwest flow aloft bringing very little impacts to our TAF sites. Expect VFR conditions through Monday morning with the possibility of precipitation at DIJ after around 12Z. One model shows around 9Z. Have vicinity showers for DIJ as some moisture in northwest flow aloft skirts extreme eastern Idaho. Still expecting less than a 30 percent chance of seeing showers at DIJ. Any showers on station at DIJ could produce brief MVFR conditions. Have no precipitation at the other 4 sites through the next 24 hours other than some mid level cloud cover. Winds have backed off to around 10 knots for most sites this evening. Winds are currently calm at SUN. Winds will have gusts of around 25 knots for PIH and BYI by late morning to early tomorrow afternoon and gusts of around 20 knots for IDA tomorrow afternoon. Expect winds to gradually drop off tomorrow evening and clouds to start clearing.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.