textproduct: Pocatello

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong to damaging wind gusts and blowing dust are expected for East Idaho Saturday.

- A combination of Wind Advisory, High Wind Warning, and Blowing Dust Warning headlines are in place for Saturday.

- A major warming trend follows this system, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the 70s and lower 80s expected next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1145 PM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026

The forecast for the next 24 hours hasn't really changed. The story will be the widespread high wind event across central and eastern Idaho starting later this morning and lasting through this evening. Widespread gusts of 40-55 mph are expected, with gusts of 65 mph or higher across the Snake Plain/Magic Valley and adjacent bench areas, higher elevations of the central mountains, the South Hills/Albion Mountains, and the Bear River Range. There is a 20-60% chance of exceeding 75 mph across higher ridgelines in the central mountains, the South Hills/Albion Mountains, and Bear River Range especially along and south of the Utah border. Blowing dust will be a huge issue just as we saw on Thursday. Stating the obvious, we will keep the HIGH WIND WARNING, WIND ADVISORY, and BLOWING DUST WARNING in place. The other concern still the potential for some rain and snow across the area today. As the past several days, the focus for embedded higher amounts will across the Sawtooths and surrounding ranges, and the eastern highlands. There is still the potential for showers at some point across all of central and eastern Idaho with the front. Totals in most areas may amount to nothing more than a trace or flurries/sprinkles. Most higher elevations will see less than 0.20" for additional numbers. For the Big Holes and along the border with Yellowstone and Tetons, look for 0.20-0.50". Look for similar amounts along the Smokys, Sawtooths, and the Salmon River Mountains. Locally higher amounts are possible on north and west facing slopes heading toward the Boise side of the central mountains. Additional high mountain snow in most areas could be 1-3" with locally higher amounts north and west of Galena Summit.

Winds ease up overnight across the region as northwest flow develops, bringing an end to the wind machine for East Idaho for the time being. This ushers in the beginning of an increasingly warm and dry period for East Idaho. Temperatures increase through the week, trending toward record highs in the 70s to lower 80s Tuesday through the rest of the week. Another low passing to our north should bring some showers to the central mountains and eastern highlands Monday before we dry out with the upcoming pattern change.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1038 PM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026

Strong wind continues to be the biggest impact during the period, especially tomorrow afternoon. Winds will continue to back off slightly overnight. However, expect very strong winds tomorrow, especially in the afternoon, behind a cold front. As the cold front blows through on Saturday, we are expecting some light precipitation at most of our sites. Temperatures look warm enough to be all rain on Saturday, but can't rule out some -RASN at DIJ and SUN where temperatures will be just above 32 degrees, especially by tomorrow early evening. Lower clouds will move through with the front and precipitation, but the NBM only shows a 20 to 30 percent chance of MVFR CIGs, so will mostly go with SCT clouds at/near MVFR. Have briefly added MVFR conditions for DIJ. The other bit of a wild card will be blowing dust on Saturday. There is a 60 to 90 percent chance of gusts greater than 48 kts at BYI, PIH, and IDA on Saturday. So, we expect to see some blowing dust around IDA and PIH once again. Added 2SM VIS for IDA and 6SM VIS for PIH for blowing dust. There is a 30 to 50 percent chance of gusts greater than 48 kts at DIJ and SUN on Saturday.

PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Saturday for IDZ051>058-062>065-068. Blowing Dust Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Saturday for IDZ053. Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Saturday for IDZ059>061- 066-067-069>075.