325
FXUS65 KPIH 091010
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
410 AM MDT Mon Mar 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A prolonged period of windy conditions is expected most of the
  week

- Strong winds across portions of the Snake Plain and Magic
  Valley this afternoon and evening

- Cool temperatures Tuesday behind the cold front, but mild
  temperatures return for later in the week as gusty winds and
  high elevation showers persist

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1203 AM MDT Mon Mar 9 2026

The main theme this week will be wind, and sometimes a LOT of
it. The days with stronger winds out of the next 7 will be
today, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. For today, we are still
forecasting gusts of 35-55 mph over a good portion of central
and eastern Idaho. The strongest will be across the ridgelines
of the central mountains and eastern highlands, Bear River
Range, the upper half of the Snake Plain and Lava Beds across
the Magic Valley. We have a WIND ADVISORY for the Snake Plain
this afternoon and evening. We will be extending this back into
the Magic Valley as some gusts will exceed 45 mph. There is
still some potential of gusts over 55 mph across the Arco Desert
and bench areas around Idaho Falls and Rexburg. That chance is
still around 40-80%. We did push wind and wind gusts to reflect
a short wind of gusts hitting 60-ish mph across the Arco
Desert/INL and those bench areas. It is not enough in terms of
time or area to hoist the High Wind Warning flag for those
areas. For tomorrow, winds will be strong once again, but
slightly lower than today. The focus shifts a bit south tomorrow
to across the Magic Valley and lower half of the Snake Plain,
with a 20-60% chance of gusts over 55 mph. We may need another
advisory tomorrow, but will look at later today or this evening.
Thursday and Saturday look potentially more windy than today,
with a pretty widespread 30-80% chance of exceeding gusts of 55
mph both afternoons.

We are looking at some occasional showers throughout the week. A
few showers are possible today, with an uptick tonight and
Tuesday across the central mountains and eastern highlands. In
fact, the only day we MIGHT be shower free is Wednesday. When we
do see showers, precipitation amounts will be light and mostly
confined to the mountains. The pattern dips far enough south
tomorrow and again later in the week and next weekend to MAYBE
see a few showers farther south in the mountains and even the
Snake Plain/Magic Valley. At the moment, chances outside of the
central mountains and eastern highlands until next weekend are
VERY LOW. Temperatures today will be 5-10 degrees cooler than
Sunday, but still looking at above average temperatures with
50s in the lower valleys. Tuesday will be even cooler behind the
front, actually a bit below average with highs in the upper 30s
to mid 40s for lower elevations. We will quickly rebound later
in the week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 406 AM MDT Mon Mar 9 2026

Gusty winds will be the main issue for all TAF sites through
this evening, with the strongest winds late morning through
sunset. Gusts of 25-45kts out (lightest at SUN and strongest at
BYI, IDA, and PIH) of a west to southwest direction are
likely. Low level wind shear may be an issue before winds pick
late morning at SUN. It looks like the period of upvalley wind
will be short, as strong westerly flow produces a gap/cross wind
from the west most of the afternoon and early evening. We will
see a few showers around, with any potential impact at DIJ.
However, potential isn`t high enough to warrant PROB30 or VCSH
for now.

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for
IDZ051>055-065.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Keyes
AVIATION...Keyes