Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pocatello, ID

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444
FXUS65 KPIH 022344
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
444 PM MST Tue Dec 2 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Periods of snow ending tonight.

- After a break Wednesday, light snow and occasional periods of
  rain return Wednesday night and continue on and off through
  the weekend.

- Windy to very windy conditions probable Friday afternoon
  through Saturday night for the Snake River plain.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 1240 PM MST Tue Dec 2 2025

An upper level trof will slide through Idaho this evening with
cold front pushing south and a north to south moving band of
precipitation expected to develop. Generally 1 to 3 inches of
snow is the most likely amount in the southern and eastern
mountains with locally heavier amounts in the mountains south of
Burley. Expecting up to an inch in the Snake River Plain
including Idaho Falls, Blackfoot and Pocatello. At those sites
near 100 percent chance for over 0.1 inch and around 20 percent
chance for more than an inch.  Expecting some minor traffic
impacts after sunset with the potential for some snow covered
roads. It will turn much colder tonight with lows in the teens
and 20s with snow ending after midnight. Wednesday will be dry
and cool with highs slightly below normal in the 20s to low 30s
mountains and low to mid 30s valleys. Light snow showers will
return to the eastern mountains late Wednesday night but no
impacts expected. Lows Wednesday night again in the teens and
20s.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1240 PM MST Tue Dec 2 2025

The long term forecast period remains an active one. On Friday, our
next wave of moisture will be moving into Eastern Idaho and bringing
a mix of rain and snow showers with it. Highs on Friday will range
from low to mid 30s in the upper Snake River Plain and Eastern
Highlands to low to mid 40s in the eastern Magic Valley and lower
Snake River Plain, hence the mix of rain and snow showers. There
looks to be a short break in the activity on Friday evening before
the next wave moves in from the northwest for Saturday before
another short break Sunday morning. Afternoon highs continue to be
above freezing for many on Saturday, but some of the warmer
temperatures also coincide with some drier periods throughout the
timeframe. All in all, let`s take a look at some preliminary,
potential snow amounts for this Friday/Saturday snowfall. Of course,
it comes with the caveat that it will chance over the next several
days! For now, the NBM is showing about a 10 to 15 percent chance of
over an inch of snow in Pocatello and Idaho Falls and about a 10
percent chance of two inches of snow in Rexburg. There`s about a 30
to 40 percent chance of at least 4 inches in Stanley and about a 60
percent chance of the same in Driggs. It also shows about a 15 to 20
percent chance of 6 inches of snow in Stanley and Driggs. Looking at
some of our passes, there is about a 40 to 50 percent chance of 8
inches of snow for Galena Summit and Pine Creek Pass and a 70
percent chance of 12 inches of snow at Emigration Summit. Again,
these numbers and probability WILL change over the next few days,
but Friday/Saturday is looking like a solid snowfall for our passes
and mountains. Also of note, winds will increase with this wave,
too, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 444 PM MST Tue Dec 2 2025

Impactful band of snow with IFR cigs and LIFR vsbys starting to pull
away from KIDA as it drops south to KPIH. Some flavor of the western
edge of this activity may also impact KBYI, followed by low stratus
there for the rest of the night. Have refined timing of the band and
associated impacts, as well as lingering low stratus (brief at KIDA
and KPIH, all night at KBYI) in the new 00z TAFs. VFR conditions
expected at KSUN. All sites trend back to VFR conditions and FEW
clouds heading into Wednesday.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...GK
LONG TERM...AMM
AVIATION...01