Drought Information Statement for South Central and Eastern Idaho Valid June 30, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Pocatello Weather Forecast Office Contact Information: nws.pocatello@noaa.gov This product will be updated in early August, 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 Continued pattern of low precipitation and warm temperatures; natural stream levels are well below normal. Water supply forecasts for most rivers are 60-70% of normal. 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): Much of Cassia County D3 (Extreme Drought): Eastern Magic Valley, and Upper Snake River Plain; Eastern Highlands. D2 (Severe Drought): Custer, Blaine, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Caribou, Franklin, Bear Lake Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Western Custer and northern Blaine Counties; Southern Bear Lake and Franklin Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): none 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: Western Custer County; Southern Highlands (Cassia County); Eastern Bonneville County Drought Improvement: N/A No Change: The remainder of the forecast area Precipitation As of June 30, 30-day precipitation has been below normal in the western half the forecast area, particularly in Power, Cassia, Lincoln, Blaine, and Custer Counties. Normal to slightly above precipitation in the Upper Snake River Plain; parts of Clark, Jefferson, Bonneville, and eastern Bingham Counties. Temperature 7-day maximum temperatures slightly above normal (east and southeast Idaho) to slightly below normal (Central Idaho mountains) 30-day maximum temperatures were slightly above normal for the entire region. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Low mountain snowpack for most of the forecast area, and early snow melt-out at all snow monitoring sites; ranging from 11 - 47 days early, with no site melting out later than normal. Early summer streamflows are well below normal, particularly in low elevation basins with no upstream reservoir storage (Goose Creek, Raft and Malad Rivers) Agricultural Impacts Streamflow volume forecasts are well below normal for all Snake River segments; ranging from 50-70%. Early runoff peaks and drafting from storage reservoirs on the Snake River; current system storage at 63% of average, or 1.2 million acre feet below average storage for this date. Fire Hazard Impacts Above normal Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for July, Aug, and September Hydrologic Impacts - Snow and Spring Runoff Southern and Eastern Idaho snow monitoring locations had season peak snow water equivalent values well below normal; generally from 40% - 70% of normal. Snowpack peaks and snow melt-out occurred 2-4 weeks earlier than normal in most locations, resulting in an early return to lower stream base flows. Many stream measurement sites are extremely low. Agricultural Impacts - Water Supply Forecast Summer runoff volume forecasts (through September) are below normal for every river basin in southern and eastern Idaho. Forecasts are particularly low for Willow Creek (12%), Little Wood River (50%), and the Bear River (<50%). Early agricultural reservoir withdrawals have drafted Snake River reservoirs to levels well below average. Fire Hazard Impacts The Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for July, August, and September is “above normal” for southern and eastern Idaho. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The 7-day precipitation forecast calls for light precipitation for the southern half of the forecast area (up to 0.1” in valleys, up to ¼” in mountains). Forecasts for the north and eastern parts of the region are for moderate precipitation, including; Up to ¼” in valley locations Up to ½” in the Island Park area and the Eastern and Central Idaho mountains. Up to 1” in the highest elevations of the Lost River and Lemhi Ranges. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Seasonal outlook probabilities are for above normal precipitation for the entire region, except for the north half of Custer County. The temperature outlook is for above normal 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 for the northern half of the forecast area, and improve throughout the southern half. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook