461
FXUS65 KPIH 272312
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
512 PM MDT Fri Mar 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Dry conditions expected through the weekend

- Near record or record highs possible through Monday

- Cooler conditions most of next week with the potential for
  rain and high mountain snow

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 120 PM MDT Fri Mar 27 2026

Satellite imagery shows complex trough structure along and off
Pacific coast today. General pattern remains under high pressure
control through the weekend, though a weak shortwave does slide
through the Great Basin on Saturday. Temperatures continue to
rise through the weekend, once again flirting with records
especially Sunday. Gusty winds will be possible across the
northern portions of the Snake Plain Sunday afternoon during max
heating, but should remain below advisory criteria. Next frontal
system arrives late Monday associated with deeper low centered
in the Gulf of Alaska, bringing a return to unsettled
conditions for the remainder of the week. Showers return for
higher elevations beginning Monday, but winds are also expected
to increase across the region. At this time, the stronger winds
should remain across the Arco Desert and Upper Snake Plain
regions, but most of the Snake Plain has at least a 50% chance
for gusts to exceed 40 mph, making Monday a contender for the
next chance at a WIND ADVISORY. Temperatures begin to slide
Monday under the influence of the cold front. Precipitation now
looks to be split into several "waves". The first round is
associated with the first front late Monday into Monday night,
mainly targeting higher elevation regions, shifting focus to the
southern and southeast highlands for Tuesday. Forecasts favor
the 50th percentile NBM vs the much wetter mean, which appears
to be influenced by a few extremely wet ensemble members. Second
cold front of the week moves through on Wednesday as PacNW
upper low works into the intermountain west. Precipitation is
expected to become more widespread with periods of showers
through the remainder of the week, and the cooler temperatures
approaching normal for this time of year should mean light
snow accumulations at higher elevations.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 509 PM MDT Fri Mar 27 2026

VFR conditions with mostly clear skies and light and variable winds
through the first part of Saturday. High clouds will increase during
the afternoon and SW winds will gust to 20-25 kts during the
afternoon.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...DMH
AVIATION...Cropp