535
FXUS65 KPIH 300948
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
348 AM MDT Tue Apr 30 2024

.SHORT TERM...TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
An active wx pattern continues as another low pressure feature drops
into the region...a pattern that won`t be terribly impactful for
MOST, but will pose specialized concerns for SOME. Those concerns
fall into 3 categories: 1) A FREEZE WARNING remains in effect until
9 AM up the ern Magic Valley/Snake Plain agricultural corridor,
supported by mostly clear skies and good radiational cooling.
Additional warnings may be needed for Wed and Thu mornings as well,
although confidence is lower as some cloud cover may be running
around (which could act as a blanket and keep sfc temps slightly
warmer). We recommend protecting plants, gardens, and crops
accordingly. 2) A new WIND ADVISORY has been issued from 1 PM to 9
PM today across the Arco Desert and Upper Snake Plain region, where
gusts of 40-50 MPH are expected out of the SW. The entire region
will be breezy again in general, but this is where winds may pose
greater hazards for high-profile vehicles and empty semi-trailers.
Otherwise, wind damage is not expected at these speeds. Motorists
are urged to use caution, and everyone should consider securing
loose outdoor items before the winds increase. 3) Finally, a few
isolated rain and snow showers are possible today and tonight
(predominantly dry for most), but expanding into greater coverage
Wed afternoon with a few t-storms tossed back into the mix as
another more organized shortwave trough crosses the region. Despite
colder temps over the period, new snow accumulations through Wed
night are only expected to amount to a dusting to 2 inches, and only
above about about 6,000 feet. For most highways below pass level,
marginal temps and the fact it`s almost May will make it very
difficult to accumulate snow on roadways, so while a slick zone or
two can`t be ruled out for brief periods, travel impacts will remain
minimal. Overall QPF amounts will remain quite low as well over the
next several days, helping some of our rivers to ease back just
slightly on their flows especially paired with cooler temps. 01

.LONG TERM...THURSDAY THROUGH NEXT TUESDAY...
Active pattern continues with next shortwave feature driving
through the region Thursday. GFS and ECMWF are similar with timing
of feature, bringing another round of wind and showers late
Thursday through mid-day Friday. Temperatures finally begin to
rebound as some ridging does develop ahead of incoming low for the
weekend. There are still some significant differences in the
models headed into the weekend. GFS centers the low off the
central California coast by late Saturday while the ECMWF remains
further north along the central Oregon coast. Continuing through
the weekend, the GFS shifts the low inland through the southwest
US as a split flow system, while the ECMWF shifts the low across
East Idaho. Clusters split the difference, with the NBM appearing
to favor the wetter and cooler ECMWF solution through Monday. DMH

&&

.AVIATION...
Breezy winds continue through the day today, with sustained speeds
increasing to 20-25kts mid-morning for the Snake Plain terminals.
Isolated light showers will be possible over higher elevations by
evening and through the overnight, mainly impacting KDIJ, but cant
rule out VCSH at KIDA and KPIH. Temperatures will be cold enough at
KDIJ to support -SHSN. VFR conditions are forecast throughout,
though the -SN at KDIJ could bring CIGS down to MVFR overnight. DMH

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Freeze Warning until 9 AM MDT this morning for IDZ051>055.

Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM MDT this evening
for IDZ052-053.

&&

$$