360
FXUS65 KPIH 062011
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
111 PM MST Fri Mar 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Patchy dense fog across parts of Eastern Idaho overnight into
  Saturday morning.

- Conditions turn mostly dry this weekend, but northerly flow
  aloft will support very light snow showers across high
  elevations.

- Mild unsettled conditions are forecast for most of next week,
  along with periods of windy to very windy conditions.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 110 PM MST Fri Mar 6 2026

As our upper level trough continues to move eastward today, light
snow showers in the Eastern Highlands are tapering off and mostly
dry conditions will take over for the weekend. Sunshine today will
help warm many of us up into the low to mid 40s for afternoon highs
and help begin melting snow. Winds remain breezy at times with gusts
around 20 to 30 mph. As we melt snow and release some of that
moisture back into the atmosphere we will see the potential for
patchy dense fog increasing tonight into Saturday morning. Models
want to bring some patchy fog throughout the Snake River Plain, but
confidence in overall coverage is low. Precipitation and snow totals
were higher around Pocatello than Idaho Falls and Burley, but the
CAMs want to bring fog into those areas, too. So, have gone with a
blanket 20 percent chance of patchy dense fog through most of the
Snake River Plain and eastern Magic Valley. More of the same seems
likely Saturday night into Sunday as we`ll do even more melting on
Saturday given that highs will be a couple of degrees warmer than
today.

Northwest flow aloft on Saturday will support light snow showers up
in the Central Mountains and Island Park area, but any accumulation
looks to remain below 2 inches with some isolated higher amounts up
on mountain tops. This northwest flow transitions to zonal flow
aloft during the day on Sunday and temperatures will start to climb.
In fact, Pocatello will have a 30-40 percent chance of reaching 60
degrees on Sunday while the eastern Magic Valley warms into the low
60s and the Idaho Falls areas warms into the upper 50s with about a
10 percent chance of reaching 60 degrees. With this warmer weather
also comes more wind. Gusts on Sunday afternoon will be in the 25 to
35 mph range for many and Monday will be even windier with these
windy conditions last all week long. Highs will remain in the 50s
for most on Monday, but a cold front passing through Monday night
will drop us in the 30s and 40s for Tuesday. This front will bring
some precipitation chances with it, but looks confined to the higher
elevations for the most part at this time. Warming will get back
underway on Wednesday afternoon as the gusty winds continue.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1034 AM MST Fri Mar 6 2026

VFR conditions generally expected at eastern Idaho terminals
through the period. The sole wrinkle in this is the potential
for fog which is shown by some hi-res models. That being said,
confidence is low as models don`t seem to have a good handle
on where the bulk of the moisture fell yesterday. KPIH would be
the most logical location for it and to a lesser extent, perhaps
KIDA. At least included mention in the latest forecast at these
sites although kept things VFR as confidence is quite low. Not
expecting it to be much of a concern at KSUN, KBYI or KDIJ
although KDIJ can certainly be tricky sometimes in situations
like this. Winds are much lighter throughout the region today,
generally 10-15 kts or less, and this should continue through
the period. Occasionally higher gusts around KBYI are possible. No
precipitation is expected over the next 24 hours but clouds
will begin to increase once again as we move into tomorrow late
morning and afternoon but CIGs will be high enough to keep
things VFR.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...AMM
AVIATION...McKaughan