855
FXUS65 KPIH 030328
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
828 PM MST Mon Mar 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Today & Tonight: Light rain and snow showers continue through
  tonight but will remain generally unimpactful.

- Mid-Week Warmth: Valley temperatures climb into the mid to upper
  50s by Wednesday before a cooling trend arrives Thursday.

- Mountain Snow: A weather system Wednesday and Thursday will
  bring several inches of snow to the central mountains and
  eastern highlands, primarily above 6,0006,500 feet.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 824 PM MST Mon Mar 2 2026

Updated forecast to include some patchy dense fog in the Snake
Plain and Teton Basin overnight. The NBM, HRRR and HREF are
pointing to dense fog developing tonight. The most likely area
is out across the Arco Desert. But models disagree if it will
impacts the main highways corridor around Pocatello to Idaho
Falls. This depends largely on how much of the low clouds
dissipates in this area.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 106 PM MST Mon Mar 2 2026

Satellite imagery this afternoon shows widespread cloud cover
across Eastern Idaho as a weak weather disturbance moves quickly
through the region. Despite the clouds and ongoing light
precipitation, temperatures remain near seasonal averages, with
valley highs in the 40s. High-resolution weather models indicate
that rain and snow showers will taper off tonight as the
disturbance moves east into Wyoming. Expect partial clearing
from west to east overnight, though some low-level clouds may
linger in the Snake Plain and Magic Valley through early Tuesday
morning. Tuesday looks relatively quiet as a brief period of
high pressure builds over the area.

A "spring-like" pattern takes hold mid-week as a Pacific system
begins digging into the region. Wednesday will be quite mild,
with valley temperatures reaching the mid to upper 50s. While
moisture is somewhat limited, precipitation will increase by
Wednesday afternoon. Snow is expected for the higher terrain of
the central mountains and eastern highlands, generally staying
above 6,000 feet. This system shifts overhead on Thursday,
ushering in cooler air and dropping valley highs back into the
40s for the remainder of the week. Showery precipitation will
linger into Friday, primarily confined to the mountains. There
is some uncertainty in the models regarding whether this system
cuts off from the main atmospheric flow, which could impact how
long showers stick around late in the week.

Conditions look to trend quieter by the weekend as pressure
aloft increases. This will allow temperatures to return to the
50s for valley locations, with any remaining rain or snow
showers limited to the high country. Looking toward early next
week, weather models are showing increasing agreement that a
broader Pacific system will approach the Intermountain West by
Monday. While specific details regarding timing and totals are
still being finalized, precipitation chances are expected to
rise once again. Overall, expect the active spring pattern to
persist with no significant Arctic air intrusions on the
horizon.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 427 PM MST Mon Mar 2 2026

An weakening upper level low system is over our area currently.
There are vicinity showers for SUN, with weak showers likely
for a few hours at SUN starting soon. Expect high pressure to
build in overnight with overall, very light winds. Expect fog
and lower CIGS bringing MVFR/IFR (possibly LIFR) conditions,
especially for IDA and most likely PIH and DIJ. Stratus and
fog/mist don`t seem as likely for BYI looking at model guidance.
However, it is possible for BYI as well. Look for fog/stratus
to lift for all sites by mid to late morning. IDA could linger
into early afternoon. Expect clearing skies in the afternoon
with just a slight uptick in winds. Upper level clouds ahead of
the next system start moving into the area by mid to late
tomorrow afternoon.

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

UPDATE...13
DISCUSSION...McKaughan
AVIATION...TW