Winter Storm Watch in effect
Beginning today, a Winter Storm Watch for the eastern highlands and Bear River Range of Idaho and western Wyoming is in effect ahead for the afternoon through Friday morning. We're expecting good accumulating mountain snows into tomorrow. We expect a couple of inches for the central valley through late Thursday and early Friday, Christmas Eve.
Cloudy conditions with highs today 35-38 along I-15, but wind chills will make it feel like it is in the 20's during the afternoon with SSE winds up to 15-20mph gusts to 25.
An air quality advisory has been issued by the Idaho Department of environmental quality...Due to elevated pollutant levels & stagnant conditions, air quality is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups in Franklin county, including the city of Preston. Individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate/smoke levels are encouraged to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. An increase in symptoms of asthma and other respiratory ailments are likely.
Thursday will be a sloppy, snowy day for the valley. Wet conditions thanks to an atmospheric river from the southwest and cold front bringing arctic air into play for Thursday will put some snow into Arco, and upper Snake River Plain. Cold air readjusts atmosphere for Friday night and it will be noticeably colder Christmas Day with highs in the low 30's, just ahead of more snow chances after Christmas and even colder air.
Jeff Roper, First Alert Weather
