Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pocatello, ID
Issued by NWS Pocatello, ID
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095 FXUS65 KPIH 041903 AFDPIH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 103 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Gusty winds will subside this evening - More wind expected into next week - A few showers and storms over the weekend with better chances heading into next week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1149 AM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026 Winds will continue to decrease by late afternoon and evening. There is still a very small chance of a shower or sprinkles along the Montana border through early evening, otherwise it will be dry and storm-free until we get to Saturday and Sunday. We will start seeing more wind tomorrow. We are looking at gusts of 25-35 mph especially across higher elevations and portions of the Snake Plain. At the moment, we are not seeing anything that meets thresholds for any wind- related headlines. Winds are stronger over the weekend, with some areas seeing sustained winds approaching 30 mph in some areas of the central mountains and Snake Plain, and gusts of 25-40 mph (locally higher across the central mountains and Arco Desert and INL). By Saturday afternoon, we are expecting some one or more bands of virga/light showers developing during the afternoon, with a couple of thunderstorms possible across the central mountains and along the Montana border. The main impact with that will likely be some enhanced gusty winds. Showers and thunderstorms remain possible Saturday night and Sunday across portions of the central mountains, and most of the eastern and southeast highlands. Highs rebound tomorrow with 80s and even a few lower 90s possible where downslope winds occur. By Sunday, highs drop back into the 70s, and in fact cooler spots may not make it out of the 60s. The pattern next week is trending cooler and wetter with the closed low slowly tracking across the region. We return back to more 70s Monday and Tuesday, but with the low and increased clouds and precipitation, midweek highs may not get out of the 60s. The colder side of temperature ranges with the low overhead have highs in the 50s for lower elevations. Stay tuned. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1140 AM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026 Gusty winds are the impact for today across East Idaho. Expect wind gusts 25-30kt at IDA, PIH and BYI. Westerly cross winds at SUN should range around 15kts sustained this afternoon and early evening, with gusts approaching 20kts. Similar speeds are expected at DIJ. Sunset should bring a decrease in winds overnight, becoming light and terrain-driven around sunrise. VFR conditions will continue. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 304 AM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026 The weak shortwave is making its way through Eastern Idaho this morning and bringing breezy winds and slightly cooler temperatures with it. While min RHs heave improved just a bit with this system, we are still very near RED FLAG conditions today with much of the eastern Magic Valley and Snake River Plain around 15 to 20 percent with widespread wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph and a few pockets closer to 40 mph. Any isolated shower chances early this morning will stay northward and produce little to no actual rainfall. Drier conditions return by the afternoon with more sunshine. Min RHs drop again for Friday afternoon, though wind gusts will be just a bit lighter than today. Another system very similar to yesterday and today will pass through this weekend with gusty winds and slight isolated shower/storm chances on Sunday. It looks to be not until next week that we see some improvements in min RHs and increasing potential for a wetting rain. && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Keyes AVIATION...DMH FIRE WEATHER...AMM