Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pocatello, ID
Issued by NWS Pocatello, ID
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827 FXUS65 KPIH 152028 AFDPIH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 128 PM MST Sat Nov 15 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - More active pattern returns with more widespread precipitation Sunday into Monday. - Unsettled pattern continues into midweek with more systems likely. - Warm temperatures in the short-term with cooler temperatures arriving for midweek and beyond. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 128 PM MST Sat Nov 15 2025 WV satellite imagery shows closed low off California coast beginning to shift northeast in response to incoming Pacific trough currently located near 150W. Warm frontal feature associated with approaching low shifts north through East Idaho tonight, bringing leading band of isolated weak showers. Light precipitation is mainly focused along the leading edge of the central mountains through Blaine and southern Custer counties into early Sunday morning. Southerly flow increases during the day Sunday, especially across the southern highlands and adjacent portions of the Snake Plain. Showers become more prevalent through the day as the low opens into a trough and approaches the region. Southerly downslope flow may limit rainfall in the southern portions of the Snake Plain, at least initially. The downslope flow appears to weaken during the afternoon with a slight wind shift to the southwest, which would diminish precipitation inhibition in these areas and allowing some rainfall to occur. The upper low continues to open and track northeast across the region Sunday night. Models have diverged somewhat on the track of the 5H center, with some solutions tracking the feature further south across northern Utah. This uncertainty impacts the development of wrap-around moisture and showers overnight, as well as how the cold air wraps into the region. NBM brings snow levels and accumulating snow down to about 6500-7000 feet, and rain/snow mix down to about 6000 feet. Meanwhile the heaviest precipitation overnight Sunday night should be relegated to the highlands east of I-15. Snowfall totals through 5AM Monday at the higher elevations generally remain 1-3" above 7000 ft, with minor impacts at pass level. Above 8500 feet, 3-5" will be possible. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 128 PM MST Sat Nov 15 2025 Lingering showers continue into Monday mainly across higher elevations as low shifts east of the state. Temperatures cool off about 10 degrees from highs on Sunday, with snow levels 6500-7000 ft. Models have shifted yet again in the long term, with a split trough of varying amplitude Tuesday into Wednesday. Some ensemble clusters favor a more clear split vs a highly amplified trough. Either way, this could be the best chance for precipitation in the extended. For Thursday and beyond, there is very little agreement in the models other than a broad sense of developing a deep trough over the western states by the end of the week. How that trough develops differs significantly among ensemble clusters, but it should lead to some ridging over Idaho late in the period for drier conditions. Temperatures for Wednesday and beyond are typically in the 40s for lower elevation daytime highs. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1003 AM MST Sat Nov 15 2025 We will cloud continue to stream in across northern areas along with more clouds increasing from the south. We will southerly winds in some spots at 10-20 mph including gusts through sunset. We could see some sprinkles/light rain late this evening and overnight with an initial surge of moisture, but we are not including -SHRA or VCSH with this due to dry air in place below cloud base. We will see a gradual increase in the chance of showers toward sunrise and especially later Sunday. We have included VCSH at all sites with this round due to better coverage and also an increase in moisture at the surface. && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...DMH LONG TERM...DMH AVIATION...Keyes