While an inversion is expected to keep smoke and ozone trapped in the Boise area for the next few days, the possibility of wet thunderstorms Saturday could help clear out the air and drop temperatures into the mid 90s, according to National Weather Service reports.
That possible relief is a few days off. The high temperature in the Boise area Thursday was 108 degrees (recorded at 5 p.m.) so residents should expect another blazing, hazy day where the city smells like a fireplace.
The record high temperature for the Boise area on July 12 is 111 (from 1898) so 108 is not record-breaking heat.
The Boise area has broken triple digits for the last six days in a row. The estimated high temperature for the Boise area on Friday is 96 degrees.
There is a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms for the Treasure Valley on Friday afternoon, which may bring some lightning.
That should be followed by surge of moisture from the southwest U.S., which is expected to move into the Treasure Valley by Saturday. There should be enough moisture in that system to produce some rain, according to National Weather Service reports. The estimated high temperature on Saturday is 94.
The extreme heat and low humidity is causing all kinds of headaches for wildland firefighters. Bureau of Land Management fire crews are currently battling six range fires in Southwest Idaho desert while Boise National Forest crews are fighting a handful of fires in the mountains to the north, including the 250 acre Avelene Fire, which is threatening about 100 homes near the Clear Creek subdivision just off Idaho 21.
