Thirty to 40 mph wind gusts closed interstate 15 from Idaho Falls to Roberts at 1:20 pm MDT on the 2nd through 10 pm. Blowing dust reduced visibility to zero on that stretch of interstate.
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The episode as NWS PIH wrote it up.
Thirty to 40 mph wind gusts closed interstate 15 from Idaho Falls to Roberts at 1:20 pm MDT on the 2nd through 10 pm. Blowing dust reduced visibility to zero on that stretch of interstate.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Pocatello, ID wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 11:59 AM MST, 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 1259 PM MDT Thu May 2 2019 .SHORT TERM...Tonight through Sunday. Biggest impact in the short term will be the winds this afternoon and early evening in the Snake River Plain. A lake wind advisory for American Falls Reservoir remains in effect until 9 pm and could also see some blowing dust mainly across interstate 15 north of Idaho Falls. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are likely along the interstate 86 and 15 corridor until sunset. Winds will subside after sunset. All of the isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will likely be confined to the eastern highlands this afternoon and early evening before ending my midnight. Expect dry conditions Friday through Saturday with only a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon mainly in the mountains. Temperatures will continue to warm through the period with Friday about 5 degrees warmer than today and another 5 degree increase on Saturday. Expect well above normal high temperatures by Saturday and Sunday. GK .LONG TERM...Sun night through next Thursday. Early next week, forecast guidance is trending towards the gradual development of a broad trough of low pressure across the western U.S. This broad troughing/mean negative height anomalies are then forecast to remain in place through the remainder of the long term of the forecast. What this means in terms of sensible weather is that Temperatures will begin the week above average, but then trend downward to near to slightly below average by Tuesday, with little or no moderation through the week. In addition, shower and afternoon thunderstorm chances are on the increase, particularly during the afternoon and early evening hours. Main changes were to lower Temperatures from Tuesday and beyond along with increasing those afternoon through early evening precipitation chances. Breezy conditions are expected through the week, but at this time we don't see any significantly windy days through the week. AD && .AVIATION...Main aviation impact today will be winds, as SW/W winds across the Snake Plain will be generally in the 20-30kt range, with slightly higher gusts possible at KPIH and KIDA. These winds should continue through 02-03Z before diminishing. Have added VCSH to KDIJ, but don't expect shower activity to be significant enough to take conditions below VFR. VFR conditions are expected at other TAF sites through the period. AD && .HYDROLOGY...Cooler Temperatures over the past week have slowed snowmelt, which was a significant driver of higher flows. Thus at this time all river gauges across SE Idaho have fallen below action stage, but are still running high and fast. The Flood Advisory for Pocatello will not be extended as the River fell below action stage Wednesday night. With a return to warmer temperatures beginning tomorrow through early next week, higher level snowmelt will accelerate, which will likely lead to rises on waterways, potentially necessitating the issuance of more flood products. One location where a Flood product will likely be re-issued over the next couple of days is for the Big Wood River at Hailey. Currently, the NW River Forecast Center is forecast to rise back into action stage by late-day Monday. AD && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Lake Wind Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening for IDZ054. &&
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 722 AM MDT Thu May 2 2019 IDZ054-021330- Lower Snake River Plain ID- 722 AM MDT Thu May 2 2019 ...LAKE WIND CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS AMERICAN FALLS RESERVOIR THIS AFTERNOON... At 715 AM MDT, observations indicated light south winds across the American Falls Reservoir. Stronger southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected to develop across the reservoir around noon today resulting in hazardous boating conditions, especially across the northeast half of the reservoir including the Fort Hall bottoms. Individuals recreating on the reservoir this morning should use caution and be prepared to seek safe harbor when winds surface this afternoon. Locations impacted include... American Falls, American Falls Reservoir and Sterling. LAT...LON 4276 11286 4281 11293 4308 11271 4298 11255 TIME...MOT...LOC 1315Z 240DEG 0KT 4289 11277 Huston
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Thirty to 40 mph wind gusts closed interstate 15 from Idaho Falls to Roberts at 1:20 pm MDT on the 2nd through 10 pm. Blowing dust reduced visibility to zero on that stretch of interstate.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, May 2019
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 831993.