000
FXUS65 KPIH 201947
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
147 PM MDT Sat Apr 20 2024

.SHORT TERM...Tonight and Sunday
You`d be pretty hard-pressed to look outside and find a cloud this
afternoon across eastern Idaho. There are a few, especially down
along the borders with Nevada and Utah but for the most part, skies
are clear with light winds making for a pleasant start to the
weekend. Temps have warmed into the upper 50s with low 60s not out
of the question in the Magic Valley and Snake Plain before the
afternoon is over. Not expecting any precipitation today as hi-res
CAMs show basically no chance at showers developing. The upward
temperature trend continue tomorrow with 70s possible in the Snake
Plain and Magic Valley although upper 60s will be more commonplace
in the valleys. Mountain locations will see mid 50s to lower 60s.
Winds will increase during the day on Sunday however as the pressure
gradient tightens as a weak shortwave moves well to our north. Winds
will approach Wind Advisory criteria across the Arco Desert and into
parts of the Snake Plain but looks to remain just below criteria so
no advisory has been issued at this time but it will be gusty
nevertheless tomorrow. This weak troughing/more zonal flow will open
the door for some precipitation on Sunday, though it looks limited
to the Central Mountains and Eastern Highlands at this point with
only about a 20 percent chance of showers at that. So most locations
can expect a relatively pleasant Sunday although with a bit more
wind and clouds compared to today. McKaughan

.LONG TERM...Tuesday through Saturday.
Will start out dry on Tuesday as weak upper level ridge passes
through Idaho with above normal temperatures and high temperatures
in low elevations near 70.  As ridge moves east conditions will
become much more unsettled Wednesday through Saturday with a chance
for showers every day.  Wednesday will be warmest day with many low
elevation highs well into the 70s.  Models showing at least the
potential for an upper low over Idaho next weekend and the potential
for more significant precipitation.   Temperatures will begin to
cool down late next week into next weekend with snow levels possibly
dropping to 6500 to 7500 feet.  Highs mainly in the 50s and 60s
Wednesday through Thursday  and 40s and 50s Saturday.
GK


&&

.AVIATION...
Widespread VFR continuing through Sunday with
clear skies with some high clouds increasing Sunday.  Winds will
increase Sunday afternoon with sustained 15 to 20 knots at all sited
and gusts 20 to 30 knots.
GK

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Water levels on the Portneuf river continue to run high, just
below moderate flood stage for the Portneuf river in Pocatello.
The river forecast for the Portneuf river in Pocatello shows the
river running above flood stage for the foreseeable future. At
Topaz, levels remain and are forecast to remain very near minor
flood stage for the rest of the week. McKaughan

&&

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

$$