Need a spot to cool off as the heatwave rolls in? Boise has you covered, literally
The Treasure Valley is bracing for a heatwave next week that’ll see temperatures peak at 105 degrees in some areas. But before the sweltering heat arrives, Boiseans will still have to prepare for a hot weekend with high temperatures peaking around 90 to 93 degrees.
“The main cause of the heat waves is an upper-level ridge building westward from the southern plains,” National Weather Service senior meteorologist Stephen Parker told the Idaho Statesman Thursday.
Parker said that it would be jumping the gun slightly to call this weekend a heatwave, with the scorching temperatures arriving in Boise on Tuesday.
The weather service forecasts 93 degrees on Saturday, just two degrees above the average for July 9. But if the forecast for 90 degrees holds on Sunday, that’ll fall two degrees below the average of 92 degrees on July 10.
But whichever way you shake it, anything over 90 degrees is still hot.
Cooling spaces in Boise
As the hottest months of the year quickly dawn on us, the homelessness services group Our Path Home has partnered with the City of Boise to provide welcoming spaces that offer a cool spot to relax during the heat of the day.
Our Path Home’s primary focus is on the homeless community, but the organization said on its website that the cooling spaces are open for anyone.
The following map shows the seven locations around Boise that offer cooling spaces:
Ann Morrison Park - 1000 S. Americana Blvd.
Boise City Hall - 150 N. Capitol Blvd.
Cathedral of the Rockies - 717 N. 11th St.
Corpus Christi - 525 S. American Blvd.
Our Path Home Outreach - 511 S. Americana Blvd.
Downtown Boise Public Library - 715 S. Capitol Blvd.
Downtown YMCA - 1050 W. State St.
Many of the locations available offer inside seating, but even just sitting in the shade can make a huge difference. Being under shade can make the air feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler than it actually is.
“It depends on how large the shaded area is and what the wind is like,” Parker said. “If you’ve got a stronger wind, it’s going to blow the hotter air right in the shade. It’ll still be cooler in the shade, but not as much as on a calm day, for example.”
Wind speeds aren’t expected to pick up much stronger than 5 to 7 mph this weekend, meaning outdoor shade will still offer a cool alternative to sitting indoors.
This story was originally published July 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
