FORECAST: Afternoon wind advisory expands in eastern Idaho

IDAHO FALLS — A wind advisory has been expanded to include much of central and eastern Idaho Friday afternoon.

Winds are expected to pick up around noon and continue until at least 9 p.m. in the following communities: Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Rigby, St. Anthony, Mud Lake, Pocatello, Blackfoot, American Falls, Shelley, Fort Hall, Burley, Rupert, Heyburn, Oakley, Albion, Almo, Malta, Rockland, Holbrook, Inkom, McCammon, Downey, and Lava Hot Springs, Shoshone, Richfield and Carey.

Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph are predicted throughout the region with gusts approaching 50 mph.

The winds will create difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles, light vehicles and vehicles with trailers, especially from noon until 6 p.m. Friday. Blowing dust may also reduce visibility.

The strongest crosswinds will be on:

• Interstate 15 between Idaho Falls and Hamer
• Interstate 15 between Pocatello and Blackfoot
• U.S. Highway 20 and 26 across the Arco Desert
• Idaho Highway 33 from Rexburg to Howe
• Interstate 84 from Burley to the Utah border, including Yale, Idahome and Sweetzer Summit
• U.S. Highway 93 from the Nevada Line to Bellevue
• Idaho Highway 39 from American Falls to Sterling and the surrounding Eastern Magic Valley, Southern Snake Plain, Southern Highlands and Fort Hall Tribal lands.

Weather conditions for Friday

Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Rigby, St. Anthony, Mud Lake, INL

It will be partly sunny today with a chance of isolated rain. Winds will increase throughout the day to between 20 to 30 mph. Patchy blowing dust is expected during the afternoon as a result. Highs of 46 to 56 degrees are expected. Winds will die down at night and there is a 20 percent chance of rain. Lows of 24 to 31 degrees are expected.

Pocatello, Blackfoot, American Falls, Shelley, and Fort Hall

It will be mostly sunny today, but very windy. West winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected in the afternoon and will cause patchy blowing dust. Highs of 53 to 60 degrees are expected. It’ll be cloudy at night with lows of 28 to 35 degrees.

Island Park, Kilgore, Dubois, Spencer

There is a chance of rain and maybe snow at higher elevations throughout the day. Highs of 40 to 49 degrees are expected. It’ll be cloudy at night with a continued chance for rain or snow. Lows of 23 to 30 degrees are expected.

Ashton, Tetonia and Driggs

There will be a chance of rain and possible thunderstorms during the day with highs of 47 degrees. It’ll be cloudy at night with a continued chance of showers and lows of 27 degrees.

Grace, Soda Springs, Henry, and Bone

There is a chance of rain and some isolated thunderstorms throughout the day. It’ll be very windy with west winds of 30 to 35 mph. Highs of 47 to 54 degrees are expected. It’ll be cloudy at night with a chance of rain and snow. Lows of 22 to 32 degrees are expected.

Road conditions

No road closures or hazardous conditions are being reported on east Idaho highways.