textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Near-record heat expected Saturday, cooler Sunday. Heat Advisories are in effect.

- Breezy to windy Saturday and Sunday combines with very low humidity for dangerous fire weather conditions. Red Flag Warnings are in effect.

- No precipitation expected through next Friday, August 7.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 153 AM MDT Fri Jul 31 2026

High pressure has strengthened some more today, but on Sat a very dry cold front is expected to move through Canada and Montana Sat afternoon/evening. During the prefrontal period, the increased southerly flow should bring in hot air and temperatures are expected to soar to record or near-record highs. The air should be extremely dry and there will be an end to the spate of thunderstorms over the previous several days after tonight.

Wind will be even stronger on Sun, but the cold air behind the front will bring temperatures down into the 90s for most lower elevations on Sun. For Mon and Tue, high temperatures should be mainly in the 80s at lower elevations; however the low will have continued its eastward movement and wind should decrease.

The rest of the work week, Wed through Fri, look dry with a warming trend returning to morning lows and afternoon highs, reaching the upper 90s by Thu or Fri. No precipitation is expected during this time with the western states high shielding central and eastern Idaho from both remnants of the southwest monsoon and cold fronts moving in from the north or west.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1202 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2026

VFR conditions expected outside of any showers and storms that may develop. This appears to be the final day of any afternoon convection. Most likely sites to see impacts from storms are DIJ, PIH, and IDA. Gusty outflow winds are the most likely impact. Although a brief heavy downpour reducing visibility is possible as well. Winds will become breezy tomorrow, likely 15-20 kts with higher gusts, at all sites except BYI which will be closer to 10 kts but this is just beyond the current forecast period except the 30 hr KSUN TAF.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 110 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2026

Another round of isolated to scattered thunderstorms is expected this afternoon. Gusty outflow winds along with brief heavy downpours are likely with storms. Hot dry weather arrives for Saturday. Low humidity and gusty winds are likely through the weekend creating Red Flag conditions across much of the region. Near critical to critical fire weather conditions appear likely for much of the next week with little to no precipitation expected and hot temperatures.

AIR QUALITY

Issued at 1214 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2026

All air quality advisories have been lifted by Idaho DEQ.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Heat Advisory from midnight tonight to midnight MDT Saturday night for IDZ051>055-057-061-065-067-068-070-075. Red Flag Warning from 2 PM Saturday to 9 PM MDT Sunday for IDZ410-422-425-475-476.