textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures will steadily climb through the weekend, with many afternoon highs reaching the 40s and lower 50s by Sunday.

- Light snow is expected in portions of the Central Mountains and Island Park regions through tonight, though accumulations will remain under 2 inches.

- After a brief relative cooldown Monday and Tuesday, the warming trend returns through the end of the week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 130 AM MST Fri Jan 30 2026

Early morning satellite shows areas of stratus, yet not as widespread as 24 hours prior as mid- to high-level clouds are inhibiting expansion of stratus and fog development. While the majority of Southeast Idaho will remain dry today, weak moisture will filter into our northeastern mountains in northwest flow, where up to an inch or so of snow will accumulate this afternoon and evening. Gradual warming is expected to continue as high pressure dominates the upper-level pattern, although cloud cover could inhibit daytime heating.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 113 PM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Upper ridge axis transitions into East Idaho for the weekend, leading to warming trend across the region. This may come with the caveat of renewed potential for low elevation stratus and fog, which may then dampen temperatures slightly. The NBM means still carry highs in the mid 40s to low 50s by Sunday for most lower elevation areas. Another weak feature tries to top the ridge late Sunday through Monday, with another chance for light snow across higher elevation areas. Once again, the chance for more than an inch or two of accumulation at higher elevations is minimal. The upper ridge axis strengthens once again behind this feature, with continued warming through midweek. The area covered by a greater than 50% probability of temperatures exceeding 50 degrees grows significantly by Thursday, covering a broad swath south of a line from Shoshone to Blackfoot.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1009 PM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Have some MVFR to IFR conditions at DIJ through the period, but low confidence. Brought in IFR to IDA at 12Z and lifted at 19Z, and added a MVFR tempo group at PIH at 12Z and lifted at 16Z. Kept VFR conditions at SUN and BYI through tomorrow night. Low confidence in ceiling and fog forecasts at the three mentioned sites through tomorrow. Winds remain light under high pressure aloft.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.