183
FXUS65 KPIH 070252
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
852 PM MDT Wed May 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Critically low temperatures in the Snake River plain and
  eastern Magic Valley should be done for at least a week.

- Afternoon highs go above normal for the time of year on
  Thursday. by Mothers` Day, expecting lower to middle 80s.

- Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this evening,
  Thursday afternoon and evening, and Friday afternoon and
  evening for the eastern highlands.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1142 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

Tonight through Sat afternoon...high pressure will start to
dominate the pattern during the near term forecast, but for the
next 36 hours weak impulses moving through the mean northwest
flow will trigger showers and thunderstorms in the extreme
northern end of the forecast area. By Fri evening the risk of
both is down considerably but not zero. By Sat an upper level
ridge of summer-like magnitude has pushed its axis into western
Idaho.

This will allow temperatures to warm from day to day, then one
impulse cools temperatures down slightly for Sat. Overnight lows
will stay warm enough to avoid freeze and frost in the eastern
Magic Valley and Snake River plain, and even warm slightly over
the period.

Finally, wind will be gusty and windy with gusts in excess of 30
mph for many locations this evening, then again Thu and Fri
afternoons and evenings.

Sat night through next Wed...The upper level high strengthens
even more; afternoon temperatures in the lower elevations by
Mothers` Day will surpass 80 degrees. Warming will continue Mon,
then level off for Tue and cool slightly as this ridge appears
to start to break down--possibly. About 40 percent of the
clusters keep this ridge strong. In any case, the threat of
precipitation is near zero. Wind is gusty and moderate again on
Mon and Tue.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 851 PM MDT Wed May 6 2026

Most wind gusts have dropped off for the night. Considerable
mid to high level clouds will pass through tonight into Thursday
morning. Expect clearing skies in the afternoon with wind gusts
of 20 to 30kts at many sites. SUN may turn upvalley or variable
for a brief time late morning or close to midday, but most
models show a gusty west-northwest wind overtaking the upvalley
for afternoon.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Messick
AVIATION...13