Chance of stormy weather ahead with potential for damaging winds

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)- The National Weather Service says there’s a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across southeastern eastern Idaho tonight, with strong wind gusts and small hail possible.

Winds could gust between 60 and 80 mph in the South Hills, lower Snake Plain and southeastern highlands near Bear Lake through late Sunday evening.

Warm, humid air is helping fuel the storms. Temperatures are climbing into the 80s, and there’s enough moisture in the air to help storms quickly strengthen. Storms are expected to continue through the evening before winding down around midnight.

Monday looks a lot like Sunday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible across the South Hills, Snake Plain and southeastern highlands. Strong, potentially damaging wind gusts will again be the main concern.

The weather should settle down somewhat Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure builds back in over the Great Basin. Valley temperatures could climb into the upper 80s and lower 90s, with a few afternoon thunderstorms still possible.

Things get breezier again later in the week. A storm system moving through Washington and British Columbia on Thursday is expected to bring stronger winds to eastern Idaho on Thursday and Friday.

That system could also weaken the ridge of high pressure enough to bring temperatures back closer to normal by the weekend, with valley highs in the low to mid-80s. Exactly how much temperatures cool remains uncertain, but a return to more typical late-August weather is looking increasingly possible.