Cold air funnels were reported by spotters and the tower at the Pocatello Regional Airport. No touchdowns reported.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PIH wrote it up.
Cold air funnels were reported by spotters and the tower at the Pocatello Regional Airport. No touchdowns reported.
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 Sep 28, 7:23 AM MST, 4 hours 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 823 AM MDT Sat Sep 28 2019 .UPDATE...Have issued a Flood Watch through 3AM MDT tonight for portions of the Big Hole, Bear River, Idaho Wasatch, Blackfoot Mountains, Caribou Range and surrounding high terrain areas. We're forecasting 1-2 inches of rain across this region, with strong potential for locally higher amounts. This amount of rain in this duration for late September is a once in 10 to a once in 30 year rainfall event for these areas. Thus, the risk for rock slides and mudslides in steep, unstable terrain and also in/near recent burn scars will be magnified. In addition, elevated instability has been efficient in producing thunderstorms near the Utah borer this morning adjacent to Franklin and Bear Lake Counties. This activity will drift into these counties within the next hour, with medium to high potential for additional thunderstorm development through this evening across these areas. This necessitated the addition of thunder to the forecast. The remainder of the forecast is in good shape and remains unchanged for now. Previous discussion follows. AD && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 356 AM MDT Sat Sep 28 2019/ ..STORM HAS ARRIVED, WITH GREATEST FLOOD THREAT TODAY, GREATEST SNOWFALL THREAT SUNDAY, AND HARD FREEZE THREAT MONDAY... DISCUSSION...TODAY THROUGH NEXT SATURDAY. OVERVIEW: Excellent model agreement continues in a closed low- pressure system setting up shop just west of Idaho today-Mon, sending multiple waves of precip and much colder air NE across the forecast area. The zone of heaviest precip is expected across the southern highlands, Bear Lake, Caribou Highlands, and Teton Valley today/tonight, with periods of also widespread precip elsewhere this afternoon and again Sun, and possibly some upslope enhancement up toward Fremont/Clark counties Sun. The strongest push of cold air is still expected with a cold front Sun AM into Sun afternoon, tipping the scales toward more snow mixing in as the event progresses. Precip will taper off Sun eve as the low lifts NE, w/ lighter rain/snow showers possible Mon afternoon. TEMPERATURES: No changes have been made to our temp expectations, and forecast confidence remains high. Highs top out in the upper 40s/low 50s today, maintaining rain as the predominant precip type everywhere outside of the Central Mntns/MT border peaks right into tonight. As the front brings progressively colder air Sun, more and more snow is expected to mix in across the region from early AM onward, with snow levels crashing to near or just above valley floors. Highs Sun will struggle to reach 40 in the mntns, and the mid 40s in the eastern Magic Valley/Snake Plain. By Mon AM, lows will drop below freezing EVERYWHERE, ranging from the low 30s in the Snake Plain/southern highlands to the teens and 20s elsewhere. Thus, confidence in a widespread freeze continues to increase, and we will pull the trigger on a FREEZE WATCH from 1 AM to 10 AM Mon for our valley agricultural zones in the eastern Magic Valley/Snake Plain (we do not issue frost/freeze products elsewhere). About 40% of these zones are currently forecast to fall below 28 degrees Mon AM, which would signal a SEASON-ENDING hard freeze. Tues AM will be the "nail in the coffin", with even colder lows in the mid to upper 20s for all locations. PRECIP AMOUNTS: 48-hour QPF totals today and Sun have not significantly changed, with 1.25 to 2.00 inches across the southern highlands, northern Cache Valley, Bear Lake, and Caribou Highlands, and 0.75 to 1.25 inches across the Upper Snake Highlands/MT border and Teton Valley. QPF totals have SLIGHTLY trended lower across the Central Mntns, generally 0.20 to 0.60 inches. 0.20 to 0.80 inches are expected in the Magic Valley and Snake Plain, highest along the eastern/southern edges near American Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot, and Idaho Falls. Exact values in this populated corridor could be higher or lower depending on exactly where that heaviest/most persistent corridor of precip sets up (currently forecast further S/E). Forecast confidence in these amounts is moderate to high, and they remain reasonably in line with WPC and NBM guidance as well as the ECMWF ensembles. Similar to yesterday, our forecast runs on the low side of significant clusters noted in the GFS ensembles, but the GFS still seems overly aggressive with rainfall rates. Again, the majority of this QPF is expected to fall in liquid form outside of the Central Mntns/MT border zone due to temps. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: Predicting snow totals with this system remains tricky and perhaps is the lowest-confidence component of our forecast. As this is an early-season storm, warm ground temps, high sun angle, and overall marginal temps will all tend to fight against efficient ground accumulations. In the marginal temp regime, precip rate will also matter as falling melting snow extracts heat from the surrounding environment and induces cooling. All things considered, 3-8 inches appear likely above 7,000 feet across the Central Mntns/MT border including Banner, Galena, and Willow Creek Summits and Monida, Raynolds, and Targhee Passes, with 1-3 inches down to valley floors including Stanley, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Challis, Mackay, and Island Park. Although wet snow may mix in throughout the event, the majority of this accumulation is expected early Sun AM and Sun afternoon, when temps are coldest. Slushy or slick roadways are possible at times. Elsewhere, the later arrival of air cold enough to support snow should limit accumulations to a dusting to 1 inch at best across the Snake Plain and other valleys, and 1-5 above about 5,500 to 6,000 feet south/east of the Snake Plain including Pine Creek Pass and Fish Creek, Georgetown, Emigration, Geneva, and Border Summits, all of that Sun. Bottom line, while a few slick/slushy spots cannot be ruled out over these passes/summits, LITTLE TO NO impact from snowfall is currently expected outside of the Central Mntns/MT border. We will continue the current Winter Weather Advisory for these areas, and an SPS elsewhere. FLOODING: If anything, the threat of isolated flooding has slightly increased across the southern highlands, Bear Lake region, and Caribou Highlands, with 1.25 to 2.00 inches of QPF falling over about 36 hours nearly all in liquid form. These values represent a 1- in-10 to 1-in-30 year climatological return interval, certainly impressive for our area for a single event. WPC has upgraded these areas to a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall. We strongly considered issuing a Flash Flood Watch, but even noting the above, the antecedent ground is not saturated, and rainfall rates may stay on the marginal side. Bottom line, our confidence is just not high enough for a watch at this time. Residents and travelers across these areas should be alert for isolated flash flooding, rock slides, and mud slides, especially in mntn terrain and near/ downhill from wildfire burn scars which leave the soil less receptive to absorbing water. A roadway washout or two cannot be ruled out. We will continue to monitor this situation closely. WINDS: Breezy conditions are possible Sun afternoon, especially in the Snake Plain, Arco Desert, and Upper Snake Highlands. However, no major wind-related impacts are currently expected with this event. BEYOND THE STORM: A few rain/snow showers cannot be ruled out Tues, especially across our mntns, but otherwise transient ridging will dry us out Wed and Thurs. Another trough may arrive Fri, but significant model disagreement currently exists. - KSmith/Wyatt AVIATION... Rain from an approaching upper level low has started across our southeast areas, already raining at KBYI and KPIH. Rain should start for KIDA and KDIJ by 12Z. Expect rain to begin around 18Z to 20Z at KSUN. Looking for MVFR ceilings at all sites today and likely through Sunday with IFR ceilings possible as well with heavier precip. Snow likely for KSUN and possible for KDIJ by Sunday morning. Any snow would likely drop CIGS to IFR. - Wyatt FIRE WEATHER... Expecting no fire weather impacts as very cold and wet conditions are expected today and Sunday. Snow levels will start at around 8 to 9 thousand feet then drop to 5 to 6 thousand feet by Sunday. Wetting rains are expected across the entire region with some locations in zone 413 receiving 1 to 2 inches of rain. All other zones will receive around 0.25 to 1 inch of rain. Temperatures will be around 20 degrees below normal over the weekend into early next week. Light showers will continue Monday and Tuesday with very cool temperatures continuing. Expect drier conditions by Wednesday. Models are still not in complete agreement through the end of the week. However, the models are agreeing to an overall wet/colder weekend returning the weekend of October 5th. - Wyatt && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Freeze Watch from late Sunday night through Monday morning for IDZ051>055. Flood Watch through late tonight for IDZ057>060-062>064. Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Sunday for IDZ066>074. &&
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE POCATELLO ID
813 AM MDT SAT SEP 28 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 5 SSE GRACE 42.51N 111.69W
09/28/2019 M0.55 INCH CARIBOU ID COCORAHS
RAINFALL SO FAR FROM 1 AM THROUGH 7 AM MDT
&&
ADESMETPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE POCATELLO ID
849 AM MDT SAT SEP 28 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0809 AM HEAVY RAIN 3 SE CHERRY CREEK 42.07N 112.19W
09/28/2019 M0.90 INCH ONEIDA ID MESONET
MESONET STATION FLFI1 3 SE CHERRY CREEK. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0808 AM HEAVY RAIN 11 SE WAYAN 42.87N 111.22W
09/28/2019 M0.74 INCH CARIBOU ID MESONET
MESONET STATION DMNI1 DIAMOND FLAT. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0739 AM HEAVY RAIN 9 W BLACK PINE 42.04N 113.15W
09/28/2019 M0.71 INCH CASSIA ID MESONET
MESONET STATION MOFI1 MOBURG CANYON. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0758 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 S ALMO 42.09N 113.63W
09/28/2019 M0.70 INCH CASSIA ID MESONET
MESONET STATION RCKI1 1 S ALMO. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0803 AM HEAVY RAIN 8 NE CRYSTAL 42.70N 112.36W
09/28/2019 M0.56 INCH BANNOCK ID MESONET
MESONET STATION SCTI1 8 NE CRYSTAL. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0804 AM HEAVY RAIN 8 NE SUBLETT 42.40N 113.00W
09/28/2019 M0.55 INCH CASSIA ID MESONET
MESONET STATION TR256 SAWTOOTH PORTABLE NO.
2. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0746 AM HEAVY RAIN 3 NE CHESTERFIELD 42.90N 111.83W
09/28/2019 M0.55 INCH CARIBOU ID MESONET
MESONET STATION PCNI1 POLE CANYON. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0743 AM HEAVY RAIN 8 NNW PEBBLE 42.86N 112.07W
09/28/2019 M0.54 INCH CARIBOU ID MESONET
MESONET STATION TS771 TARGHEE PORTABLE NO.
2. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
0745 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 W GRAY 43.05N 111.38W
09/28/2019 M0.53 INCH BONNEVILLE ID MESONET
MESONET STATION WYNI1 DALE BITNER. TOTAL SO FAR TODAY.
&&Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 1108 AM MDT Sat Sep 28 2019 IDZ059>061-281800- Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region ID-Bear Lake Valley ID- Bear River Range ID- 1108 AM MDT Sat Sep 28 2019 ...FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAIN FOR PRESTON AND BEAR LAKE... At 1107 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles northeast of Franklin or 11 miles east of Preston, moving northeast at 25 mph. Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning and pea sized hail will be possible with this thunderstorm. Locations impacted include... Bear Lake Idaho Portion, Franklin, Saint Charles, Bloomington, Minnetonka Cave, Mapleton and Fish Haven. 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. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 4200 11194 4229 11145 4200 11128 TIME...MOT...LOC 1707Z 226DEG 69KT 4212 11165 AD
The Pocatello radar (KSFX), 33 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:01 UTC.
1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Cold air funnels were reported by spotters and the tower at the Pocatello Regional Airport. No touchdowns reported.
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, September 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: 857077.