A 60 year old man was struck by lightning at 1240 PM in the back parking lot of Love's Travel Stop in Idaho Falls at South 45th West. He was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.
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The episode as NWS PIH wrote it up.
A 60 year old man was struck by lightning at 1240 PM in the back parking lot of Love's Travel Stop in Idaho Falls at South 45th West. He was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.
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 Jul 28, 1:09 AM MST, 10 hours 31 minutes earlier.
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 KB
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 KB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
1114 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021
IDZ066-281800-
Centennial Mountains/Island Park ID-
1114 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN FREMONT AND
NORTHEASTERN CLARK COUNTIES UNTIL NOON MDT...
At 1113 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles west of Shotgun Village to Island Park
Reservoir to Last Chance. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
Winds to around 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Henrys Lake, Island Park Village, Shotgun Village, Ponds Lodge, Macks
Inn, Last Chance, Island Park Reservoir, Red Rock Pass, Sheridan
Reservoir, Big Springs and Harriman State Park.
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...
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
If on or near Island Park Reservoir or Henry's Lake, move to safe
shelter now! Do not be caught on or near the water. Gusty winds and
choppy waves are likely.
&&
LAT...LON 4427 11139 4438 11160 4444 11184 4454 11175
4456 11170 4454 11146 4459 11152 4464 11152
4467 11147 4470 11149 4471 11142 4476 11139
4473 11132 4465 11128 4462 11122 4461 11124
4458 11123 4457 11118 4449 11109 4439 11109
TIME...MOT...LOC 1713Z 246DEG 12KT 4445 11166 4441 11151 4436 11140
KBSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 1134 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021 IDZ061-063-281815- Bear Lake Valley ID-Caribou Range ID- 1134 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN CARIBOU AND NORTHEASTERN BEAR LAKE COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 PM MDT... At 1131 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm 11 miles northeast of Montpelier, moving northeast at 10 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Caribou and northeastern Bear Lake Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Moderate to heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 4234 11121 4246 11128 4264 11105 4240 11105 TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 238DEG 11KT 4244 11113 TW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
1157 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021
IDZ070>074-281900-
Challis/Pahsimeroi Valleys ID-Frank Church Wilderness ID-
Sawtooth/Stanley Basin ID-Big Lost Highlands/Copper Basin ID-
Sun Valley Region ID-
1157 AM MDT Wed Jul 28 2021
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 1156 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Galena Lodge, or 13 miles northwest of Ketchum, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
Half inch hail and torrential rain will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Galena Lodge and Livingston Mill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 4418 11463 4405 11411 4370 11449 4374 11467
4375 11467 4374 11468 4375 11469 4379 11469
4381 11471
TIME...MOT...LOC 1756Z 197DEG 11KT 4381 11458
KBThe Pocatello radar (KSFX), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:40 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A 60 year old man was struck by lightning at 1240 PM in the back parking lot of Love's Travel Stop in Idaho Falls at South 45th West. He was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, July 2021
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: 973910.