Record Heat and 55 MPH Wind Gusts Expected to Hit Eastern Idaho This Week
IDAHO FALLS — Eastern Idaho residents should prepare for record-breaking temperatures and powerful wind gusts this week, according to the National Weather Service office in Pocatello.
National Weather Service meteorologist Travis Wyatt says temperatures across the region will climb into the upper 80s and low 90s Tuesday and Wednesday, with wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph expected Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Record Highs Possible in Idaho Falls and Pocatello
In Pocatello, the existing record high for May 12 dates to 2001, when the thermometer reached 92 degrees. In 2013, the city hit 90 degrees on May 13. Wyatt says conditions this week are likely to match or surpass those marks. “We’ll likely hit the record Wednesday,” he said.
The heat arrived quickly. Sunday marked the first day in 2026 that Pocatello recorded a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit — and within days, the region is expected to approach or exceed the 90-degree threshold.
In Idaho Falls, the record high for May 12 stands at 87 degrees, set in 2001, while May 13 saw a record of 88 degrees in 2013. With temperatures forecast to reach 88 degrees in the city on Tuesday, Wyatt says those records are in jeopardy.
Wind Advisory in Effect Wednesday; Sharp Drop to Follow
Along with the heat, a wind advisory is in effect for Wednesday afternoon across eastern Idaho. Wyatt says gusty conditions will begin developing around midday, with the strongest winds — ranging from 45 to 55 mph — expected between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Breezy conditions will be present Tuesday as well, though the advisory does not take effect until Wednesday.
Rain chances Wednesday are minimal. Wyatt noted that any precipitation, if it occurs at all, would be negligible.
Residents and drivers should take precautions, particularly during Wednesday’s peak wind hours. High-profile vehicles — including semi-trucks, trailers, and recreational vehicles — are especially vulnerable to dangerous gusts on open stretches of highway. The area’s major corridors, including Interstate 15 and Highway 20, can see rapid condition changes during wind events. Work is already underway this week on an I-15 bridge damaged by a semi, a reminder of how quickly infrastructure incidents can disrupt regional travel.
Outdoor events, yard work, and any activities involving open flame or loose materials should be approached with caution given the combination of dry conditions and high winds, which can also elevate wildfire risk.
Cool-Down and Freeze Warning Follow by Weekend
The extreme heat will be short-lived. By Thursday, high temperatures are expected to fall sharply into the upper 60s and low 70s. That cooler pattern is forecast to continue through the weekend.
More notably, Wyatt says freezing temperatures are expected Sunday night into early Monday morning, with both a frost advisory and a freeze warning in effect. Gardeners and agricultural producers in Bonneville County and across eastern Idaho should protect temperature-sensitive crops and plants before the weekend arrives.
The dramatic swing — from potential record highs Tuesday and Wednesday to below-freezing conditions by Sunday night — is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of spring weather across the high desert terrain of eastern Idaho, where elevation and geography can produce rapid temperature reversals.
The region has experienced its share of weather-driven hardship throughout its history. Long-time residents still recall the catastrophic flooding that followed the 1976 Teton Dam failure, an event that reshaped communities across the Snake River Plain and underscored the power of natural forces in this part of Idaho.
What Comes Next
Residents should monitor updated forecasts from the National Weather Service through Wednesday evening, particularly for wind advisory developments. After the cool-down Thursday, the weekend freeze warning will be the next significant weather concern for Bonneville County. Agricultural interests and homeowners with gardens should plan accordingly before Sunday night.