textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Critically low temperatures in the Snake River plain and eastern Magic Valley should be done for at least a week.

- Afternoon highs go above normal for the time of year on Thursday. by Mothers' Day, expecting lower to middle 80s.

- Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this evening, Thursday afternoon and evening, and Friday afternoon and evening for the eastern highlands.

UPDATE

Issued at 250 PM MDT Wed May 6 2026

Overlooked the wind being strong enough on Thu for a Lake Wind Advisory. Advisory has been issued.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1142 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

Tonight through Sat afternoon...high pressure will start to dominate the pattern during the near term forecast, but for the next 36 hours weak impulses moving through the mean northwest flow will trigger showers and thunderstorms in the extreme northern end of the forecast area. By Fri evening the risk of both is down considerably but not zero. By Sat an upper level ridge of summer-like magnitude has pushed its axis into western Idaho.

This will allow temperatures to warm from day to day, then one impulse cools temperatures down slightly for Sat. Overnight lows will stay warm enough to avoid freeze and frost in the eastern Magic Valley and Snake River plain, and even warm slightly over the period.

Finally, wind will be gusty and windy with gusts in excess of 30 mph for many locations this evening, then again Thu and Fri afternoons and evenings.

Sat night through next Wed...The upper level high strengthens even more; afternoon temperatures in the lower elevations by Mothers' Day will surpass 80 degrees. Warming will continue Mon, then level off for Tue and cool slightly as this ridge appears to start to break down--possibly. About 40 percent of the clusters keep this ridge strong. In any case, the threat of precipitation is near zero. Wind is gusty and moderate again on Mon and Tue.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1148 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

VFR conditions expected across eastern Idaho through the period. SKC/FEW CIGs will become more SCT to BKN later this evening and overnight with some mid/high level clouds pushing into the region. Light winds now increase to 10-15 kts in the next few hours and continue into the overnight. Not expecting any precipitation. Winds increase closer to 20 kts by tomorrow afternoon especially at KPIH and KBYI, slightly lower at KIDA, KDIJ and KSUN.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.