textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Warm winter storm brings rain to most, snow above 7000ft elevation. Heaviest precipitation amounts this evening. Winter headlines continue until 5 PM Christmas Day.

- Very windy in the Albion Mountains. Wind Advisory continues until 5 PM tonight.

- Near record temperatures continue until Friday, then cool to normal by Saturday.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 1234 PM MST Wed Dec 24 2025

Massive upper level low off the northern CA coast continues to pump a mild and moist air mass over the Sierra Nevada into the Great Basin and northern Rockies. This low will eventually move inland and cross through the region on Sat/Sat night. Until then, expect rain to high elevations with the heaviest expected this evening, with rates in the upper Snake River highlands reaching 0.10 of an inch per hour or more. This intense low also has some wind aloft with it, which enhances the precipitation production. The Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories will continue as-is, with less precipitation for Christmas night/Fri. However, that 24 hour period may need some winter highlights as temperatures cool some 5 to 10 deg F from Christmas Day to Fri. This will mean more snow production to lower elevations.

Temperatures have already reached records for the date today, and despite clouds and rain more records will likely fall on Christmas Day. The cool down starts Fri as mentioned, then another 10 to 15 deg F from Fri to Sat. By then, skies will at least partially clear and cold air behind this storm with some west to northwest wind at least briefly should bring in the colder air.

The very windy conditions over the south central highlands should diminish this afternoon; wind at KPIH and KBYI airports show even these locations are still right around Wind Advisory thresholds, with expectations of subsiding by early evening. As the low moves across, wind will stay in the 15 to 30 mph range with higher gusts Christmas Day through Sat, which is just below Advisory thresholds. Wind will shift to west by Fri night, and northwest on Sat.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1234 PM MST Wed Dec 24 2025

The storm that brought all the precipitation will have moved out by late Sat night, allowing an upper level ridge to move into the US west coast. This will clear skies, but the northerly wind behind the storm will keep cold air from southern Canada moving into the region. This will moderate the warming, keeping temperatures below 40 deg F for most until Wed afternoon, when that kind of warmth returns to the Snake River plain. Overnight lows should be around climatic normals, with teens in the Snake River plain, single digits and some below zero readings in the central Idaho mountains. Wind by Sun afternoon as the high pressure strengthens should return to light. This may cause night and morning fog issues, but will have to see how much moisture is available in snow pack or standing water.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 435 PM MST Wed Dec 24 2025

Southerly, downslope winds that are locally stronger near KPIH have resulted in very breezy and dry conditions for the terminal. Have more heavily relied on the HRRR for the WX portion of the forecast as the latest run more accurately reflects the current conditions as compared to other HREF members. Have forecast MVFR CIGs and/or VIS for all terminals with the exception of KBYI, as well as a period of IFR VIS at KDIJ overnight tonight. Winds will remain breezy into the first part of Thursday.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wind Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for IDZ056-057. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST Thursday for IDZ069-071- 072. Winter Storm Warning until 5 PM MST Thursday for IDZ073-074.