Significant snow event to hit Idaho next week. Here’s how Boise will be affected
Before the 2 inches of snow from the snowstorm earlier this week has even melted away, more snow is already in the forecast for Boise.
The National Weather Service in Boise is forecasting a further 1 to 2 inches of snow for the Treasure Valley next week, but that total could change as we get closer, according to Weather Service meteorologist Sophia Adams.
“This far in advance, we’re four to five days out from the main event for Boise,” Adams told the Idaho Statesman on Thursday. “There’s a fairly good chance that the precipitation totals could change pretty, pretty substantially.”
But if there’s one thing for certain, Boise and the central mountains are in for a cold and wet week.
Next week’s snow forecast
An upper level trough, a region of low pressure that’s often accompanied by storms, is dipping into the Gem State early next week, Adams told the Statesman. The trough, paired with a high-pressure system off the coast of California and Oregon, will funnel moisture into the region by Presidents Day on Monday.
Boise is forecast for only a 20% chance of rain in the early afternoon on Monday, but it’ll be the first of several days of a significant snow event in the state.
Between Sunday night and Wednesday night, parts of the Boise Mountains are forecast to receive up to 2 feet of snow. Popular destinations close to Boise, such as McCall and Cascade, are forecast to receive between 12 and 18 inches.
“At this point, we want to encourage folks to continue to check the weather forecast as we get closer to the event for updated information,” Smith said. “Another helpful tip would be to make sure they have their car emergency supply kits well-stocked, especially if they will be traveling in the Central Mountains next week.”
Throughout the rest of the week, the Weather Service is forecasting Boise to receive some snow every day through Thursday.
The Weather Service uses three forecast models — the Global Forecast System, High Resolution Rapid Refresh and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts — to predict the weather. Usually they don’t completely agree, Adams said, but for this storm, they all seem to be in sync.
“Seeing that level of agreement three to four days out is generally a little bit more uncommon,” Adams said. “So that what gives me more confidence.”
A couple of days after the wet weather arrives, Idaho will also receive a cold blast from the Bering Sea and British Columbia.
After reaching as high as 50 degrees in Boise on Monday, temperatures will drop to a high of 37 degrees by Thursday.
