Rain and thunderstorms head for Boise from unusual direction. Here’s what to know
Strong rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit the Boise area until 6 p.m. Tuesday, with potential rainfall from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, according to the National Weather Service in Boise.
The chance of precipitation is 90% in the afternoon until the evening, when it drops to 40%. Wind speeds will be 5-7 mph. There is no forecast for rain after Tuesday this week.
The storm is coming from the north and northeast, which is unusual, said Josh Smith of the National Weather Service in Boise.
“We’ve got a large low-pressure system that, right now, looks like it’s over Central Idaho. So we’re getting showers from the backside of that; it’s somewhat unusual for us from the north-northeast,” Smith said. “Typically we get our rain from the south or west. Since the circulation is right over Idaho, and we’re on the backside of that, we’re getting it coming off the mountains from the north down into the valley.”
Monday night showers brought in .07 inches of rain. As of midnight, Boise had received .15 inches of rain in September.
Lightning strikes were expected Tuesday afternoon, primarily in Southwest Idaho. According to Smith, the state received a reported 2,663 lightning strikes Monday. He noted the large amount of lightning is not typically seen during September.
He also warned residents who live in the mountain areas near burn scars from the wildfires earlier this summer to stay alert for flash flooding. There was no flash-flood alert as of Tuesday afternoon.
This story was originally published September 17, 2024 at 2:05 PM.
