Drought Information Statement for South Central and Eastern Idaho Valid May 20, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Pocatello Weather Forecast Office Contact Information: nws.pocatello@noaa.gov This product will be updated in mid June, 2026 if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Moderate to exceptional drought exists across most of south central and eastern Idaho Record warm winter temperatures resulted in snowpack levels well below normal and early snow melt-out River levels are very low and all water supply forecasts are less than 75% 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for South Central and Southeast Idaho Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Part of western Cassia County D3 (Extreme Drought): Southern Highlands, Eastern Magic Valley, and Upper Snake River Plain; all of Bingham and Power Counties; parts of Cassia, Blaine, Oneida, Bannock, Caribou, Bonneville, Jefferson, Madison, Fremont, and Butte Counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Parts of every county in the forecast area except Power and Bingham (which are all D3) D1 (Moderate Drought): Northern Blaine County, part of Custer County; SE Franklin and southern Bear Lake Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Western Custer and northern Blaine Counties Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for South Central and Southeast Idaho Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Big and Little Lost River Basins; Eastern Magic Valley and Upper Snake River Plain; SE Highlands including parts of Caribou, Bannock, Power, Oneida, Franklin, and Bear Lake Counties. No Change: The remainder of the forecast area Precipitation As of May 20, 30-day precipitation has generally been 50% of normal or lower; particularly low in Cassia, Custer, and Fremont Counties. Normal to slightly above precipitation occurred only in isolated pockets of Bonneville and Butte Counties. Temperature 7-day maximum temperatures were well above normal (8ᐤ+) for the entire region 30-day maximum temperatures were above normal for the entire region; in particular, the Eastern Magic Valley (4-6ᐤ above normal). Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Near record low snowpack for much of southern and eastern Idaho, especially basins at lower elevations. Early snowpack peak and early snow melt-out at almost all snow monitoring sites Current streamflows well below normal, particularly in low elevation basins (Goose and Willow Creeks, Raft, Malad, Portneuf, Bear, and Blackfoot Rivers) Agricultural Impacts Flow volume forecasts well below normal along much of the Snake River, particularly on the Henry’s Fork and low elevation tributaries (Portneuf and Blackfoot Rivers, Willow Creek, Goose Creek) Early volume peaks and drafting from storage reservoirs on the Snake River; storage volumes dropping much earlier than normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Outlook for significant wildland fire potential above normal in July and August Fuel moisture for light fuels is generally well below average; approaching critical levels several weeks earlier than normal. Hydrologic Impacts - Snow Water Equivalent Warmest winter on record resulted in minimal mid and low elevation snow accumulation. Many snow monitoring locations were at period of record low values at the end of March, approximately the normal season peak. Peak snow water equivalent values generally ranged from 40-70% of normal. Snowpack peaks and snow melt-out occurred 2-4 weeks earlier than normal in most locations. Agricultural Impacts - Water Supply Forecast April through September runoff volume forecasts are below normal for every basin in southern and eastern Idaho. Forecasts are particularly low (<50%) for the Bear River, Little Wood River, and Willow Creek. Forecasts for the Snake River are generally 50-70% of normal. Fire Hazard Impacts The Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for May and June is “normal” for southern and eastern Idaho. The Outlook is “above normal” for July and August Fuel moisture levels are below normal in May, likewise approximately 3-4 weeks early. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The 7-day precipitation forecast calls for minimal precipitation for the western two thirds of the forecast area (up to 0.1”). Forecasts for the eastern third of the region include: Up to up to ¼” in the eastern Idaho highlands and Island Park area. Up to ½” in the highest elevations of the Bear River Range, and the Big Hole Range and Teton foothills in Idaho. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Seasonal outlook probabilities are for below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures for the entire region. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to persist and develop throughout much of the western United State, including the entire southern Idaho region. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook