960
FXUS65 KPIH 081951
AFDPIH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
151 PM MDT Tue Oct 8 2024

.DISCUSSION...
Afternoon satellite imagery shows clouds continuing to build
across eastern Idaho this afternoon, especially over the higher
terrain. This is due to a weak shortwave passing through the
region enhancing upper level lift a bit. Also seeing some areas of
smoke and haze from regional wildfires especially in the central
mountains and upper Snake Plain. As far as the forecast is
concerned, not expecting any precip today in association with the
cloud cover and temperatures will again be quite warm for early
October. Daytime highs will top out in the upper 70s to lower 80s
and tomorrow will likely be a few degrees warmer than today. The
pressure gradient will tighten a touch tomorrow allowing for winds
to become a touch breezier, especially in the central mountains
and towards the Montana Divide. This will create some fire weather
concerns (see discussion below). A dry front will move through
Thu helping to lower temps a couple of degrees and bring increased
clouds to the area Thursday and Friday but as has been the case
for awhile, it will remain dry. As we move in to the weekend, a
low will move in to the PacNW around Oregon which will also nudge
our temps down by a few degrees but still remaining above normal
for mid-October. It also looks like the low will be void of any
moisture so anyone looking for precipitation will be disappointed.
McKaughan


&&

.AVIATION...
Seeing a bit of mid/high clouds in place across eastern Idaho
today along with some occasional smoke/haze from regional
wildfires. KIDA could see some brief reductions below VFR but
confidence in this is low. VFR will prevail otherwise across the
region with light winds the remainder of today and certainly
during the overnight hours. Tomorrow afternoon, winds will
increase a touch closer to the 10-15 kt range however. McKaughan

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A weak disturbance has brought increased clouds today with
conditions too dry for any precipitation to reach the surface.
Gusty winds around 20 to 30 mph will be possible under these
evaporating showers. Otherwise, dry and warm conditions will
persist over the next several days under high pressure. Southwest
flow aloft will continue to warm our temperatures through
Wednesday. A dry cold front will shift through the region
tomorrow, bringing gusty winds, especially to north-central Idaho.
Wind gusts will span 20 to 30 mph with isolated gusts in the
highest terrain reaching the 30 to 40 mph range. Breezy winds
combined with marginal relative humidities in the teens and low
20s has prompted us to issue a Red Flag Warning for Fire Weather
Zones 475 and 476 from Noon to 9 PM tomorrow (Wednesday).
Temperatures will continue to cool and humidities will gradually
rise during the latter half of the week and into the weekend. Very
slight chances exist for light precipitation during the late
weekend timeframe as a low pressure system moves inland, however,
models are struggling with its track this far out. Cropp

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for IDZ475-476.

&&

$$