Special Weather Statement, NWS Pocatello, ID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
209 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021

.SHORT TERM...Today through Friday night. Early morning satellite
imagery was showing a broad upper high centered over the mid-west
with a moist sub-tropical flow rotating around the high through the
SW states and northward through the Great Basin into SRN Idaho.
Ongoing convection was noted across the south-cntrl highlands where
some fairly healthy precipitation totals were noted (0.67 inches at
BYI over the past 6-hours for example). Glancing at the dew-points,
we see widespread 50 degree readings south of a Hailey to Driggs
line and mid-40s north of that line. Numerical models show some
variation in the moisture levels across the northern portion of the
forecast area while the south remains moist with little change in
that overall weather pattern through Friday night which should
result in diurnally favored scattered convection and enhanced
(moderate to heavy) shower activity particularly across the Snake
River Plain and points southward. As for some details, the 00z NAM
and HREF favor enhanced thunderstorm activity across the CNTRL and
SE mountains this afternoon transitioning into the Upper Snake
Highlands this evening (per the HREF) and/or the Wood River/Sun
Valley area (per the NAM). Just a note of caution, the models were
"close" yesterday but lacked some important details...so the message
here is use them as guidance not the gospel! Huston

.LONG TERM...Saturday through next Wednesday. The message of the
extended is that monsoon moisture will fuel daily shower and
thunderstorm chances, which could lead to locally heavy rainfall.
GEFS/EPS showing anomalously high PWAT values taking up residence
through the Great Basin until at least next week. Some differences
exist in the deterministic solutions this weekend, which lowers
overall confidence in details around exactly when/where the heaviest
shower/thunderstorms may develop. In general, PWAT values appear to
peak Sat-Mon coincident with weak disturbances cutting into the
upper-level ridge in place. This is the general timing we're
seeing potential for the most efficient rainfall across
portions of southern and eastern Idaho. Despite the dry June and
July we've had, efficient rainfall and runoff can quickly inundate
an area and lead to localized flooding. We'll be monitoring rain
rates closely over the coming days.

In terms of what general amounts of rainfall to expect, large
spread exists in accumulated QPF for specific locations as you might
expect with monsoonally driven activity, but there are some good
signals of wetting rain for most. For Sat-Sun the NBM daily QPF
probabilities show 50%-60% chance of 0.25" over our higher
elevations and 30-50% for the Snake Plain. For Sun-Mon the
probabilities are 50-60% chance for the higher terrain and 40-50%
chance for the Snake Plain. This is a good sign that most locations
could come out of the weekend seeing some wetting rain helping
quell current and ongoing wildfire issues.

High temperatures will drop through the weekend with the expected
uptick in rainfall potential and associated cloud cover. This will
likely end the record 30+ day streak of 90+ temperatures seen in
Pocatello. After monday, models are signaling the decline of
monsoonal moisture and re-establishing drier conditions. To what
extent remains to be seen.
TAX

&&

.AVIATION...Expansive residual cloud cover remains as a result of
last night's thunderstorm activity. Expect these mid to high level
clouds to remain for much of the morning for BYI/SUN/PIH before
dissipating. With monsoonal moisture becoming more entrenched over
the next several days, we're expecting daily showers and
thunderstorms to develop in the afternoon/evening hours which could
certainly impact any individual terminals. As we saw with BYI last
night, moderate to heavy rain from any stronger storm could quickly
lead to reduction in cig/vis and gusty and erratic winds. Showers
and thunderstorms could also kick out some outflow boundaries that
could lead to strong wind shifts for downstream terminals. Outside
of thunderstorm activity, VFR conditions are generally expected.
TAX

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...The monsoon flow is on and should continue across
the region through the weekend before beginning to break down. As a
result, diurnally favored scattered convection with enhanced
(moderate to heavy) rain shower activity will continue across the
region through the weekend with elevated daytime humidity levels.
Today's model cycle appears to be favoring enhanced shower and
thunderstorm activity across the CNTRL and SE mountains this
afternoon transitioning into the Upper Snake Highlands/Targhee NF
and/or the Wood River/Sawtooth NF regions this evening. The models
have NOT been pinpoint accurate as of late so those areas should be
viewed as suggestive rather than certain. Drier conditions may begin
to work back into the region under increasing SW flow aloft perhaps
as early as Wednesday of next week. Huston

&&

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
1018 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021

IDZ060-061-281700-
Bear Lake Valley ID-Bear River Range ID-
1018 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN AND
SOUTHWESTERN BEAR LAKE COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 AM MDT...

At 1017 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southwest of Saint Charles, or 11 miles west of Bear Lake Idaho
Portion, moving east at 10 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Bear Lake Idaho Portion, Saint Charles, Fish Haven and Minnetonka
Cave.

Boaters can expect a sudden increase in waves and very choppy waters
which will result in hazardous boating conditions. Boaters are urged
to seek safe harbor if possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

If on or near Bear Lake, move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught
on or near the water. Gusty winds and choppy waves are likely.

&&

LAT...LON 4214 11165 4219 11125 4200 11122 4200 11164
TIME...MOT...LOC 1617Z 265DEG 7KT 4204 11155

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Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
1048 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021

IDZ052>054-281730-
Arco/Mud Lake Desert ID-Upper Snake River Plain ID-
Lower Snake River Plain ID-
1048 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN BONNEVILLE AND
CENTRAL BINGHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 AM MDT...

At 1048 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Moreland, or near Blackfoot, moving north at 20 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Blackfoot, Moreland, Rose, Rockford and Groveland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4315 11233 4316 11257 4358 11257 4356 11221
TIME...MOT...LOC 1648Z 184DEG 19KT 4324 11245

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