Several reports of severe weather received.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
Several reports of severe weather received.
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 Aug 15, 1:14 PM MST, 2 hours 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 214 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024 .SHORT TERM...Today and Friday. Afternoon satellite shows an upper low working through Oregon and a departing ridge shifting into Wyoming with moisture filtering in through the upper level flow of the two features. The low working into Idaho will be responsible for another round of isolated to scattered thunderstorms again this afternoon through late tonight, with CAMs showing increasingly scattered thunderstorm coverage early this afternoon as the low lifts through northern Idaho. Radar already shows isolated storms developing across central Idaho. The best chances for severe storms will be across the southeast portion of the CWA, extending from near Oakley, north to Arco, and east to the Wyoming border, where models indicate 500 or more J/kg of SBCAPE and 30 to 40 kts of 0-6 km wind shear, in addition to widespread steep mid-level lapse rates around 8 to 9 C/km. A portion of Southeast Idaho is included in the Storm Prediction Center's "Marginal" risk of severe storms today due to winds, with the HREF indicating thunderstorms will be capable of producing outflow winds to around 55 mph. As for precipitation, PWAT values look to be around 0.80 inch and less, running right around normal. Therefore, not expecting much in the way of wetting rains, although stronger storms could produce moderate rainfall and small hail. Showers will likely continue into the overnight hours across the E/SE Highlands with conditions trending drier heading into Friday behind the departing trough. CAMs do show some indication of afternoon activity along the Montana Divide but keep the bulk of activity further north into Montana. Otherwise, daytime temperatures will continue to run right around climatological norms for the next two days with light to breezy winds outside of thunderstorm outflows. Cropp .LONG TERM...Saturday through Thursday. The first half of the day Saturday is looking dry but monsoonal moisture looks to push into the southern half of the region by the late afternoon and evening hours. Shower/storm focus would probably be across southeastern portions of the forecast area. The upper level pattern for the weekend and much of next week looks to remain rather stagnant with a strong high meandering across the Four Corners through much of next week with a series of strong upper lows moving slowly across the Pacific NW. We won't see much variation with temps from day to day, generally mid to upper 80s in the valleys (slightly cooler in the high country). Could see a few spots hit 90 or so across the Magic Valley or lower Snake but the 80s will be more commonplace each day. As far as precip is concerned, also not much variation from day to day with at least low end PoPs in the forecast. Some days will likely feature a bit more available atmospheric moisture though and thus higher PoPs accordingly, especially in the eastern highlands. All in all, it's a typical late summer-like pattern across eastern Idaho. McKaughan && .AVIATION...VFR conditions expected to prevail outside of any showers and thunderstorms. Hi-res CAMs continue to develop showers and thunderstorms over the next hour or so across the Snake Plain and show them traversing across the region. Not sure exactly how this will transpire as they've yet to develop. Nevertheless, have maintained VCTS for snow at all terminals although I'm not convinced much will impact KBYI based on the latest trends. If/when tstms develop, will add in some TEMPOs accordingly, if needed. Once we get into the late evening, PoPs will drop off quickly as the region will clear out into the day Friday. Friday will feature light winds, mostly clear skies and no precipitation for a change. McKaughan && .FIRE WEATHER...Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for Idaho Fire Weather Zones 422, 475, and 476 through 9 PM tonight due to scattered thunderstorm coverage. Thunderstorms will be capable of producing small hail and outflow wind gusts to around 55 mph. Mostly dry conditions return Friday as the system departs. Come Saturday, portions of the same three FWZs will reach critically low RH with areas gusting to 25 mph or so, although the event looks marginal with coverage not widespread enough to warrant a Red Flag at this time. Cropp && .AIR QUALITY...The Air Quality Advisory for Custer County has been lifted with current air quality considered "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." Central Idaho is expected to maintain the worst air quality in eastern Idaho due to fires further west in central and western Idaho. Elsewhere, air quality will remain mostly "Good" over the next couple of days. Cropp && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for IDZ422-475-476. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
148 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
IDZ068>070-074-152015-
Challis/Pahsimeroi Valleys ID-Lost River Range ID-
Big Lost Highlands/Copper Basin ID-Lost River Valleys ID-
148 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CUSTER AND NORTH
CENTRAL BUTTE COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM MDT...
At 147 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Mackay Reservoir, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts in excess of 45 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mackay and Mackay Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Mackay Reservoir, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Strong winds will create rough chop.
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 4379 11374 4393 11389 4423 11362 4391 11325
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 232DEG 24KT 4391 11374
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
DMHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
336 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
IDZ054-055-057-058-152200-
Eastern Magic Valley ID-Marsh and Arbon Highlands ID-
Raft River Region ID-Lower Snake River Plain ID-
336 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN POWER AND EAST
CENTRAL CASSIA COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM MDT...
At 335 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southwest of Rockland, or 20 miles south of Neeley, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts in excess of 35 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Rockland and Arbon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4235 11306 4252 11317 4273 11289 4246 11255
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 245DEG 26KT 4247 11303
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...35 MPH
AMMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
403 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
IDZ052-054-055-058-062-152230-
Eastern Magic Valley ID-Arco/Mud Lake Desert ID-
Marsh and Arbon Highlands ID-Blackfoot Mountains ID-
Lower Snake River Plain ID-
403 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CARIBOU...NORTHWESTERN
BANNOCK...NORTHERN POWER AND SOUTHERN BINGHAM COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM
MDT...
At 402 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from near Springfield to near Portneuf Gap. Movement was
northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts in excess of 45 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Pocatello, Blackfoot, American Falls, American Falls Reservoir,
Chesterfield Reservoir, Chubbuck, Aberdeen, Inkom, Rose, Fort Hall
Bannock Creek Lodge, Pingree, Pocatello Airport, Fort Hall Putnam
Lodge, Fort Hall Buffalo Lodge, Fort Hall Eagle Lodge, Fort Hall
Lincoln Creek Lodge, Taber, Portneuf Gap, Fort Hall Townsite, and
Springfield.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near American Falls Reservoir, get out of the water and
move indoors or inside a vehicle. Strong winds will create rough
chop.
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 4342 11275 4302 11171 4256 11241 4286 11308
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 221DEG 49KT 4310 11267 4281 11231
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
AMMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
405 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
IDZ054-055-057>059-152230-
Eastern Magic Valley ID-Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region ID-
Marsh and Arbon Highlands ID-Raft River Region ID-
Lower Snake River Plain ID-
405 PM MDT Thu Aug 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL ONEIDA...SOUTHERN
POWER AND NORTHEASTERN CASSIA COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM MDT...
At 405 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Rockland, or 12 miles south of Neeley, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts in excess of 45 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Neeley, Rockland, Fort Hall Bannock Peak, Cold Water Rest Area,
Pauline, Arbon, and Massacre Rocks.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4234 11269 4253 11321 4285 11308 4256 11242
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 223DEG 21KT 4257 11287
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
AMMThe Pocatello radar (KSFX), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:14 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind, 2 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A 66 mph thunderstorm outflow gust measured just northwest of Pocatello at FW4083 mesonet site.
Lightning struck a power pole resulting in a fire and part of a tree caught in wires.
Measured thunderstorm outflow wind of 59 mph measured at the Pocatello Regional Airport ASOS site.
Idaho Power reported over 2,000 customers without power due to thunderstorm winds near Chubbuck.
The top half of a large tree snapped off in Gibson.
Several reports of localized tree damage in Blackfoot.
Three large trees reported downed at Jensen Grove Park in Blackfoot.
Rocky Mountain Power reported a power outage in Goshen due to thunderstorm winds.
Media reported a large tree blown over onto a road in Ammon.
Tree downed across Sunnyside Road in Ammon blocking traffic.
About 2,600 customers in Idaho Falls without power due to thunderstorm winds.
Fremont County Emergency Manager reported lightning strike started a fire on the west side of Red Rd.
A private weather station in Iona measured a 67 mph wind gust from thunderstorm outflow along E Lincoln Rd near Wood River Rd.
A 61 mph wind gust measured at the Antelope Flats RWIS site.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, August 2024
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: 1213149, 1213152, 1213154, 1213155, 1213156, 1213158, 1213159, 1213161, 1213162, 1213163, 1213164, 1213165, 1213166, 1213167.