558
FXUS65 KPIH 021124
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
424 AM MST Fri Jan 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Rain and Snow Tapers Off This Afternoon and Evening

- Some Fog Expected Tonight and Saturday Morning

- Rain and Snow Returns Later Saturday and Beyond

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 121 AM MST Fri Jan 2 2026

Rain and snow is starting to taper off in some areas already
this morning. The two main areas where we expected more
widespread moisture during the day are 1) generally along and
east of I-15 and 2) portions of the central mountains. Some
stray light rain and snow is still possible outside of those
areas, though. We are going to maintain the WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY for the Bear River Range and Big Holes through the
morning. We are looking at another 2-6" with locally higher
amounts. Roads across those areas vary from wet to snowcovered
and should remain that way this morning. We are seeing variable
road conditions across the rest of the area as well, so please
slow down if the roads even looks slick. Other locations will
either all rain, or a mix of rain and snow. Where we can get
mostly snow to fall, look for light accumulations up to 3". By
this evening and tonight, any lingering precipitation will be
across the eastern highlands. Most of this appears to be
potential "seeder feeder" light precipitation, especially closer
to the Montana border. There will be plenty of moisture left
over from the rain and snow. This isn`t most ideal pattern for
fog development, but there is enough potential to include in for
most valley locations, although we did leave it out for
portions of the Magic Valley and also for places like Challis
and the Pahsimeroi Valley. The next round of rain and snow moves
in later Saturday and continues Saturday night and Sunday. We
could see some impacts over Galena and Banner Summits tomorrow
night, but nothing significant. Expect more coming on Sunday in
terms of overall rain and snow amounts.

Temperatures should remain well above average heading into the
weekend. Even where inversions appear to not be fully eroding,
it should be a few degrees warmer overall compared to the past
couple of days. We do finally push high temperatures just a bit
above freezing at Stanley and Challis.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 150 PM MST Thu Jan 1 2026


Snow levels are expected to remain 5000-6500 ft Sunday through
Monday, so rain is expected in the valleys with snow in the
mountains. Cold front sags through the region Monday, bringing
snow levels down to valley floors Monday night, but most of the
precipitation should be over by then. Slightly cooler
temperatures are in place for the remainder of the forecast
period with weakly unsettled conditions over the higher
elevations. Another front is expected Wednesday, bringing
temperatures back to near normal by the end of the period.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 424 AM MST Fri Jan 2 2026

Conditions are going to be tricky in the next 24 hours. We are
currently seeing MVFR to LIFR weather due to precipitation and
low visibility and ceilings. As precipitation winds down during
the day, the idea is where we have minimal wind...don`t expect
much improvement due to all of the moisture around. Where we do
have some around, we will see some breaks and VFR conditions. It
looks like BYI may escape any issues with stratus or fog
tonight. The same cannot be said for other TAF sites. We will
see a mix of MVFR to IFR conditions due to stratus and/or fog.
Conditions at SUN this afternoon and tonight will be dependent
on any stratus/fog developing to the south of the airport and
being pulled into the Wood River Valley. Even though there will
be a subtle switch in wind direction...speeds are fairly week.
We do have them at MVFR overnight, but that could easily swing
to IFR or VFR. There isn`t a ton of confidence at the moment
which might happen.

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning for
IDZ060-064.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Keyes
LONG TERM...DMH
AVIATION...Keyes