420
FXUS65 KPIH 191549
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
849 AM MST Sun Jan 19 2025

.UPDATE...Persistent area of very light snowfall is working
southeast through the Snake Plain into the Eastern Highlands this
morning. Very cold temperatures are producing efficient snow-
liquid-ratios with measured QPF at Idaho Falls of 0.01 inches
producing 0.25-0.50" snow estimates this morning. High-res models
having a very difficult time resolving this feature, but have
adjusted forecast values for PoP/QPF/SnowAmt higher through today
to account for the precipitation. Radar shows back edge rapidly
approaching Idaho Falls, which should result in dissipation of the
snow in the I-15 corridor within the next couple hours. Light snow
expected to linger in the higher elevations east of I-15 through
today, with occasional light showers over the central mountains
arriving through the afternoon. Given the low moisture content but
cold temperatures, additional accumulations should stay below an
inch. DMH


&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 119 AM MST Sun Jan 19 2025/

DISCUSSION...
Temperatures dropped quickly Saturday evening and early this
morning as cloud cover was a bit slower to move than forecast.
This allowed temperatures to bottom out below zero across much of
the eastern half of the forecast area. That being said, early
morning satellite imagery and surface observations show cloud
cover now increasing and temperatures have been slowly rising over
the last few hours. This will likely continue although how much
they rise remains to be seen. Either way, it`s a COLD night across
eastern Idaho and it will only get colder over the next 24 hours.
Highs today will only top out in the teens and 20s region wide so
that`s already cold enough but a secondary push of arctic air
will come in later today and spill over the Divide bringing the
coldest temperatures thus far for tonight into Monday AM. The
Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect for portions of eastern
Idaho and has been expanded to now include the Bear Lake Valley.
Feels-like temperatures in the 20 to 30 below zero range are
expected during the early morning hours Monday. Daytime highs on
Monday will be in the single digits and teens across ALL of
eastern Idaho.

Now for some good news, for those that don`t enjoy the cold. Aside
from some very, very light snowfall (an inch or less) in the
northerly upslope areas in the east/southeast highlands, it should
be dry across the area through the day on Thursday. Additionally,
temperatures will moderate throughout the work week bringing
temps much closer, although probably just shy, of normal by the
end of the work week.

On Friday, models do show the potential for a shortwave to dip
down across the region which will be our next best chance for
precipitation starting Friday and potentially containing into
Saturday. Still lots of time for things to change with this
however so the forecast just has low end PoPs for the time being
and we`ll see how things play out in the models over the days
ahead. McKaughan

AVIATION...
Shortwave trough is bringing increased clouds to eastern Idaho
this morning with snow showers expected at KDIJ between 12z and
20z. Intermittent drops in CIG to MVFR/IFR are possible during
this time. Elsewhere, stratus will range VFR to MVFR heights and
winds will generally remain under 10 kts areawide. Cropp

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Extreme Cold Warning from 1 AM to 9 AM MST Monday for IDZ052>054-
061-062-065>067.

&&

$$