Sunday and Monday temperatures predicted to be in the 50s and 60s

POCATELLO — It may finally feel like spring this weekend as temperatures are predicted to be well into the 50s and 60s.

That’s a big difference after Pocatello was slammed with snow earlier this week on Tuesday. Schools were closed for the day, and police asked drivers to be cautious. The Pocatello and Chubbuck area had received 15 to 19 inches of snow.

The forecast calls for mostly dry conditions from now through next Monday night, although a few light rain and snow showers are possible Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Pocatello.

RELATED | Heavy snowfall hits Pocatello area hard; here’s what’s to come for eastern Idaho

An email from NWS Pocatello on Thursday said temperatures across eastern Idaho will increase about 3 to 5 degrees across the board each day through Monday.

“Everywhere is going to warm up, basically the entire region. Of course, lower elevations are going to be a lot warmer than the mountains,” said Greg Kaiser, a meteorologist for NWS Pocatello.

Kaiser added that on Saturday, it would most likely be around 50 degrees in Pocatello and upper 40s in places like Idaho Falls. But by Sunday and Monday, temperatures could increase.

“What are the chances of potentially anyone hitting 70 degrees? It might be higher than you were thinking. It will be interesting to see how warm we can get in Pocatello and Chubbuck with the one to two feet of snow on the ground. That 20 to 30% chance on Monday may be a stretch if we can get the snow to melt quick enough,” a post on Facebook from NWS Pocatello said.

Meteorologists said the probability of exceeding 60 degrees on Monday would be 95% in Burley and Pocatello, 75% in Idaho Falls, 75% in Preston and Malad, and 40% in Rexburg and Driggs.

Since Pocatello was hit with a lot of snow, there are questions about potential flooding due to snow melting.

“Eventually we could see some flooding concerns as the higher elevations start to melt a bit more … As the month goes on, there is going to be a possibility of flooding happening. Right now, it hasn’t begun yet,” Kaiser said.

Snowmelt in foothill areas will also increase stream flow on small creeks and streams and may even impact some larger streams like Marsh Creek and the Portneuf River as well as the Bear River.

Bannock County is prepared for flooding as temperatures warm up. Sandbags are still available for residents.

RELATED | As locals experience flooding, officials urging homeowners to be prepared

Residents can pick up free, empty sandbags from the following locations during regular business hours. After collecting a sandbag, residents can fill their bags for free at the following locations at any time.

Sandbag Pickup Locations:

• Bannock County Road & Bridge Office (5500 S. Fifth Avenue, Pocatello)
• Fort Hall Mine Landfill Office (1500 N Fort Hall Mine Road, Pocatello)
• Inkom City Office (365 N Rapid Creek Rd, Inkom)
• McCammon City Office (802 Front Street, McCammon)
• Lava Hot Springs City Hall (115 Elm St., Lava Hot Springs)
• Downey City Office (15 S. Main St., Downey)
• Downey Swan Lake Highway District (211 US-91, Downey)
• Arimo City Office (115 Henderson Road, Arimo)

Bag-filling Locations:

• Bannock County Road & Bridge Office (5500 S. Fifth Avenue, Pocatello)
• Fort Hall Mine Landfill Stockpile Yard (Below Gate, 1500 N Fort Hall Mine Road, Pocatello)
• County yard on Old Hwy 91 east side of I-15, Inkom
• County yard on 200 North Front Street, McCammon
• County yard on east side of Blazer Hwy/US 30 Intersection, Lava Hot Springs
• Downey City Office (15 S. Main St., Downey)
• Downey Swan Lake Highway District (211 US-91, Downey)