DAILY FORECAST: Winter storm to hit eastern Idaho today

UPDATE:

As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service has issued a high wind advisory for the following counties: Madison, Jefferson, Bonneville, Bingham, Bannock, Butte, Onieda, Power, Blaine and Cassia.

South and southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected with gusts up to 45 mph throughout eastern Idaho, according to the National Weather Service.

Additionally, difficult driving warnings are in effect for the following highways due to snow or slush on the road:

• U.S. Highway 20 between Island Park and the Montana State Line.
• Idaho Highway 33 between Driggs and the Wyoming State Line.
• Idaho Highway 31 between Victor and the Wyoming State Line.
• U.S. Highway 93 between Salmon and the Montana State Line.
• Idaho Highway 37 between Roy and the Interstate 86 junction.
• Idaho Highway 39 between American Falls and Pingree.
• Interstate 86 from Raft River to Pocatello
• Interstate 15 between Pocatello and Blackfoot
• U.S. Highway 91 betweeen Fort Hall and Pocatello
• U.S. Highway 30 between the Interstate 86 junction and Pocatello

ORIGINAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS — There are a large number of severe weather alerts in eastern Idaho for Sunday, March 5.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the following counties: Clark, Fremont, Teton, Bannock, Caribou, Bear Lake, western Madison, western Bonneville and western Bingham. Wet, heavy snow is expected in the region through Monday evening with 5 to 8 inches predicted in areas above 6,500 feet and 2 to 4 inches in the valleys.

Winds of 15 to 20 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow on the roadways.

Northern Utah and western Wyoming are under the same advisory. Central Idaho is under a winter storm warning with up to 15 inches possible in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood watch remains in effect for the following counties: Bonneville, Madison, Bingham, Bannock, Jefferson, Butte, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power. Rainfall and rising temperatures in the lower elevations will result in snow melt.

The rapid snow melt may cause pooling of water and flooded roadways at low water crossings. Some roads may become washed out, and homeowners situated in areas of poor drainage may experience flooding.

Road closures are possible due to the storm Sunday.

Thus far the Idaho Transportation Department has issued a difficult driving warning for Idaho Highway 31 between Swan Valley and the Wyoming State Line and Idaho Highway 33 between Driggs and the Wyoming State Line. The roadways are wet and covered in slush.

ITD and the Montana Transportation Department have also issued a warning for the Monida Pass along Interstate 15 between Dubois and Lima, Montana. Icy patches and drifting snow have been reported.

SEE YOUR COMPLETE EASTIDAHONEWS.COM 10-DAY FORECAST HERE

Idaho Falls and Rexburg

There will be scattered snow showers on Sunday morning then numerous snow showers and pockets of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected with highs of 34 to 42 degrees. South winds of 10 to 15 mph will increase to 20 to 30 mph by nightfall. There is a 50 percent chance for snow during the night with lows of 10 to 20 degrees.

Pocatello

The Pocatello area will see scattered snow and rain showers in the morning Sunday, then numerous rain showers, snow showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected during the day with highs of 38 to 45 degrees. South winds of 10 to 15 mph will increase to 20 to 30 mph by nightfall. Another 2 inches of snow is expected to fall at night with lows of 14 to 23 degrees.

St. Anthony, Ashton, Island Park, Driggs, and Victor

There will be numerous snow showers on Sunday morning in the Upper Valley and Teton Valley. Then there will be widespread snow showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. About 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected with highs of 32 to 39 degrees. At night the chance for snow continues with 1 to 3 inches expected. Temperatures will drop to between 7 and 17 degrees.

Arco, Challis, and Mackay

There will be numerous snow showers in the area Sunday with some 2 to 4 inches of snow expected. Temperatures will be between 30 to 38 degrees during the day. At night it will be cloudy with a chance for another inch of snow. Lows of 7 to 17 degrees are expected.

Henry, Soda Springs, Downey, and Lava Hot Springs

Scattered snow showers on Sunday morning. Then widespread snow showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected with highs of 37 to 46 degrees. The chance for snow showers and thunderstorms remains in the evening with 2 to 4 inches of snow predicted at night. Lows of 13 to 20 degrees are expected.

SEE THE NWS WEATHER MAP HERE