textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Winter Weather Headlines: Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect for the Island Park area and Bear River Range through early Friday morning.

- Freeze Warnings: Widespread sub-freezing temperatures in the low to mid-20s are expected tonight and again Friday night. Freeze Warnings are in effect to protect vulnerable early- season vegetation.

- Substantial Weekend Warm-Up: Rapidly building high pressure will usher in a dry weekend, with temperatures soaring into the upper 60s and mid-70s by Sunday and Monday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 115 PM MDT Thu Apr 16 2026

East Idaho under the influence of deep late-winter low. Cold front slid through the region overnight last night, leaving very cold temperatures in place, and rain changing to snow down to valley floors. Radar shows main band of light precipitation across the southeast corner of the forecast area, with secondary area across Island Park. Continued upslope orographics in these regions ahead of the main shortwave axis should keep snowfall going overnight, and the WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY will continue. In addition, high-res models this morning continued trend of trying to develop a weak convergence zone band of showers across the northern portions of the Snake Plain, and radar indicates this is indeed beginning to occur as showers fill in across the region. Nature of the band looks showery, which could mean a wide spread in expected snowfall amounts. NBM supports up to 2 inches of snow through the evening across the northern portions of the Snake Plain in association with the band, but most data supports less than an inch of new snow, and the probability of exceeding 1" is only around 20%. Band could reach as far south as Pocatello this evening before shifting east into the highlands, then dissipating around midnight.

Temperatures continue as the lingering story behind the system. Very cold temperatures should be realized overnight as some clearing occurs in lee of shortwave trough, and then again Friday night. The coldest lows are likely tonight. A Hard Freeze is almost certain for most of the Snake Plain with widespread overnight lows in the upper teens to lower 20s, and a FREEZE WARNING remains in effect. Despite an upward trend in daytime highs headed into the weekend, the cold overnight temperatures linger. Additional FREEZE WARNINGS will be needed for Friday night, and possibly into Saturday night as well.

Ridge of high pressure rebuilds for the weekend into early next week, bringing a rebound in temperatures. By Monday and Tuesday, daytime highs are expected to reach back into the 70s. There is increased confidence today on another system moving into the Intermountain West for mid week. A few ensemble members continue to introduce light precipitation to East Idaho as early as Tuesday afternoon, but Wednesday still looks to be the better day. The onset of precipitation should usher in a slightly cooler regime, but another return to widespread cold is not expected at this time.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 427 PM MDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Scattered snow showers will continue into the evening before dissipating. Temporary IFR conditions are likely as these showers pass through. Winds should weaken this evening. Showers should redevelop Friday afternoon with best chances around IDA and DIJ.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Freeze Warning from 3 AM to 10 AM MDT Friday for IDZ051>055. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Friday for IDZ060-066.