Flood watch issued for most of eastern Idaho

POCATELLO — Eastern Idaho residents is in for a wet Labor Day. The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a flood watch for Sunday afternoon that will affect areas from northern Utah to West Yellowstone.

“A slow-moving upper-level low system and an associated cold front will start moving through the area,” NWS said in the watch statement. Monsoon moisture is expected to add between 0.8 and 1.25 inches of rain to the mix.

NWS took to social media Sunday morning to update folks on the storm that moved in quickly Saturday night.

“Scattered to widespread strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible across all of southeast Idaho this afternoon and evening with an emphasis on heavy downpours, gusty outflow winds, and hail,” the agency wrote in a Facebook post. It included a model of the storms.

Thunderstorms along the cold front boundary will bring the strongest rains, authorities said. They will move through eastern Idaho late Sunday afternoon.

The flood watch will reach late into Sunday night.

Rain is expected to continue into Monday, through the morning and into the early afternoon, according to NWS, “but rain rates do not look to be as high.”

Excessive runoff from the rain may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, NWS reminded residents.

Flash flooding is possible.

“Be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued,” the NWS said.

For the latest weather forecasts, visit EastIdahoNews.com.