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fxus65 kpih 201940 
afdpih 


Area forecast discussion 
National Weather Service Pocatello Idaho 
140 PM MDT Sat Mar 20 2010 


Short term...tonight through Tuesday. 


A ridge of high pressure is expected to remain in control through 
Sunday. Noticeably warmer weather is expected for Sunday. The next 
storm system looks like it will arrive Sunday night as moisture 
ahead of a cold front moves through the region. Expect the high 
country to see some light precipitation increase throughout the 
night. The cold front is expected to arrive on Monday. This will 
bring the best chance for precipitation to the region. Snow levels 
are expected to be between 5500 and 6000 feet on Tuesday. Amounts 
look relatively light with just a few inches expected above 6000 
feet. The threat for precipitation is expected to continue through 
Monday night and into Tuesday as models continue to hint at a weak low 
pressure system developing over the area. Best chances for 
precipitation will gradually shift into the eastern high country 
during this time as the upper trough gradually moves east. 


Long term...Tuesday night through Saturday. 


The models are consistent for the middle of next week as a ridge 
develops across the west ahead of the next storm. Very little if 
any shower activity is forecast during the period. That next 
system should affect mainly areas across the north with a few 
showers still possible closer to the Utah border. Beyond 
that...the GFS is more open and therefore progressive with the 
next system crossing through the area. The European model (ecmwf) tries to develop 
a closed low with some weak splitting of the flow as the storm 
moves through. Due to a great amount of uncertainty...precipitation 
chances are around climatology for the end of March for Saturday 
and decreasing quickly Saturday night from west to east. High 
temperatures will remain in the 40s and 50s for the valleys 
through the period...with cloud cover and showers determining any 
day to day variation. Keyes 


&& 


Aviation...VFR conditions expected through Sunday afternoon. Some 
cumulus clouds are possible during maximum heating in and around the 
mountains. Higher clouds will be on the increase ahead of the next 
system as well. Keyes 


&& 


Pih watches/warnings/advisories... 
none. 
&& 


$$