Flash Flooding and Hail in Idaho, May 24, 2023

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
217 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

.SHORT TERM...Tonight and Thursday...
Afternoon satellite imagery shows occasional breaks in cloud cover
across the region which may allowing for some pockets of
destabilization this afternoon but this will remain fairly limited.
Aloft, the upper air pattern looks nearly identical to yesterday
with broad upper-level troughing in place across the Pac NW keeping
our area in a moist southwesterly flow. Expect another round of
afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms, some of which could be
strong to marginally severe with gusty winds and small hail
possible. Additionally, much like yesterday, precipitable water
values remain unusually high across the region which will support
thunderstorms capable of dropping ample rainfall in a short amount
of time. Because of this, a Flash Flood Watch remains in place
across the Snake Plain, Magic Valley and into the South Hills given
the potential for another round of localized flooding with the
strongest of storms and trends in hi-res CAMs. Just where any
flooding occurs, if at all, remains a very difficult task to
forecast given the sporadic nature of convective activity. Not much
changes as we move into Thursday. Upper level flow might be a tad
more southerly but the end result is the same...more
afternoon/evening showers and storms with potential for gusty winds,
small hail and flooding all on the table. McKaughan

.LONG TERM...Friday through next Wednesday.
Troughing is still in place over most of the West Coast at the end
of this week and into the weekend. As it generally stalls out over
the area, we will continue our trend of afternoon showers and
thunderstorms each day through the weekend and even into early next
week. Both the ECMWF and GFS agree on a closed low forming over
south-central California late Sunday into Monday, which continues to
funnel moisture into our area in favorable southwest flow. At this
point, both models show PWATs ranging from 0.60-0.80 through the
Magic Valley and Snake Plain and Magic Valley and 0.40-0.60 in the
higher elevations. These PWATs are generally 120-150% of normal.

Aside from rain and storms each afternoon and evening, highs will be
near to just slightly above average for this time of the year, in
the 60s and 70s. Expect wind gusts each afternoon between 20-25 mph.
Moore

&&

.AVIATION...18Z Wednesday through 18Z Thursday.
With a closed low over eastern Washington and continued southwest
flow, rain and thunderstorms are the big story for our area again
through the afternoon and evening. Overall, wind gusts are expected
to stay below 20 kts and general conditions remain VFR outside of
any storms. For a stronger storm passing over any terminal look
for drops to MVFR/IFR VIS like we've already seen at SUN. Storms
today will be capable of producing small hail and wind gusts near
45 kts. Activity will quiet down overnight, but look for more of
the same tomorrow as this pattern persists. Moore

&&

.HYDROLOGY...Active weather is favored to continue through the holiday weekend
with at or above normal temperatures and rain putting pressure on
high elevation snowpack and already high flowing rivers. Excessive
Rainfall Outlooks are now in place for through Friday across most of
Southeast Idaho where there exists a MARGINAL RISK (at least 5
percent) of excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding. Today the
Snake Plain is highlighted for heavy precipitation in the ECMWF
Extreme Forecast Index (EFI). Thunderstorms over the coming days
will be very conducive for heavy rain in slow moving and or training
thunderstorms leading to increased, urban, lowland and river
flooding potential. Today a flash flood watch has been issued for
the South Hills/Albion Mtns, Raft River River region, Eastern Magic
valley, and the Snake Plain where there are the best thunderstorms
chances (CAPE of around around 1000 to 1500 J/kg and shear of 35 to
40 kts)and highest precipitable water, 0.70 to 0.90. Showers and
thunderstorms will be remain possible each day through the weekend.
Below you will find the latest on the basin specific river
information:

Big Wood Region: The Big Wood at Hailey remains in moderate flood
stage and is forecast to stay there through the coming week. The
amount of rain needs to be monitored. The forecast has the river
going up farther. How much farther will depend on rain amounts every
day through early next week. The HEFS probabilities show a 34%
chance of hitting record peak around this weekend. For now, cooler
temperatures have caused the Big Wood at Hailey to drop slightly.
Further upstream north of Ketchum, the Big Wood has dropped below
flood stage but is expected back above flood stage later in the week
with rainfall. Feeder creeks including the North Fork, Trail Creek,
and the East Fork have all dropped just below flood stage and any
future peaks will be mainly rainfall driven. In addition, Warm
Springs Creek which feeds into the Big Wood at Ketchum has dropped
some but remains in moderate flood stage.

Little Wood Region: The Little Wood River above High Five Creek was
running at bankfull with its diurnal peak and likely to remain near
this level for the next few days.

Salmon Region: Valley Creek and the Yankee Fork (feeding into the
Salmon in Custer Co) have dropped slightly but are still near
bankful. We will have to continue monitoring these sites as we work
into the moderating temperatures this week but for now each site is
expected to remain below warning stage with no highlights warranted
at this time.

Big Lost Region: Antelope Creek remains above flood stage and is
expected to remain there through Monday and then perhaps slowly fall
back into bankful/action stage with the moderating temperatures
during the week. Thus the Flood Warning will continue there.
Upstream on the Big Lost at Howell Ranch we expect readings to
oscillate around flood stage for the next few days and have upgraded
the watch to a warning.

Henry's Fork, Camas Ck, and Teton Region: The Henry's Fork near
Rexburg has just climbed back above flood stage this afternoon. The
Teton river continues to rise ever so slightly but remain out of
flood stage, for now. Reaching flood stage will be very rainfall
dependent.

Blackfoot Region: The Blackfoot above the reservoir continued to
fall over the last 24hrs and we are likely seeing this basin play
out for the season (barring any heavy rain events) and thus we will
continue with an Advisory here as it continues to run at bankfull.

Portneuf and Marsh Ck Regions: The Portneuf at Topaz and Pocatello
remain above flood stage and are forecast to remain there for the
coming week. With all the rain yesterday and upcoming rain, the
Portneuf at Pocatello is forecast to hit Major stage later today.

Bear River Region (including Bear Lake, Franklin, and Oneida Co):
The Bear River at the Border remains in flood stage and is forecast
to stay there over the course of the coming week.
Snowmelt flooding has subsided a bit across Bear Lake, Franklin, and
Oneida Counties over the past week.

Raft River Region: The upper portion of the Raft River at One Mile
Ck continues to oscillate ever so slightly at bankfull while no
water was observed flowing downstream at the interstate suggesting
irrigation demand is high. No problems anticipated here.
Wyatt/McKaughan

&&

.PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 9 PM MDT this evening for IDZ053>057.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
217 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

IDZ055-056-242100-
Eastern Magic Valley ID-Southern Hills/Albion Mountains ID-
217 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Cassia
and southwestern Minidoka Counties through 300 PM MDT...

At 216 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles southeast of Hansen, or 17 miles northwest of Oakley Reservoir,
moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Cassia
and southwestern Minidoka Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and a Flash
Flood Warning is in effect. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4228 11428 4242 11429 4242 11407 4252 11406
      4252 11401 4253 11399 4253 11395 4254 11393
      4253 11389 4223 11408
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 198DEG 13KT 4235 11417

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KB

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE POCATELLO ID
305 PM MDT WED MAY 24 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0304 PM     HAIL             1 E POCATELLO           42.88N 112.45W
05/24/2023  M0.25 INCH       BANNOCK            ID   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE POCATELLO ID
316 PM MDT WED MAY 24 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0316 PM     HAIL             POCATELLO               42.88N 112.47W
05/24/2023  M0.25 INCH       BANNOCK            ID   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
323 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

IDZ060-061-063-242215-
Bear Lake Valley ID-Bear River Range ID-Caribou Range ID-
323 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Bear
Lake County through 415 PM MDT...

At 322 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
southwestern Bear Lake Idaho Portion, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Montpelier, Bear Lake Idaho Portion, Saint Charles, Dingle, Paris,
Bloomington, Bern, Ovid, Geneva, Fish Haven, Geneva Summit and
Bennington.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

If on or near Bear Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or
inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4200 11124 4200 11149 4246 11140 4239 11105
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 193DEG 24KT 4205 11135

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

KB

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
327 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

IDZ054-055-057-058-242215-
Eastern Magic Valley ID-Marsh and Arbon Highlands ID-
Raft River Region ID-Lower Snake River Plain ID-
327 PM MDT Wed May 24 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Bannock
and central Power Counties through 415 PM MDT...

At 327 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fort Hall Bannock Peak, or 7 miles southeast of Neeley, moving north
at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
American Falls, Neeley, western American Falls Reservoir, Rockland,
Fort Hall Bannock Peak and Fort Hall Bannock Creek Lodge.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4256 11262 4257 11294 4286 11288 4283 11250
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 198DEG 15KT 4267 11278

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

AM

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE POCATELLO ID
329 PM MDT WED MAY 24 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0319 PM     HAIL             CHUBBUCK                42.92N 112.46W
05/24/2023  M0.25 INCH       BANNOCK            ID   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&