Was weather history just made in Boise? City saw hot March temperatures Wednesday
It was a historic Wednesday for weather watchers in the Treasure Valley.
Boise’s temperature reached 81 degrees at 4:11 p.m., according to National Weather Service meteorologist Wasyl Hewko, tying a record for the hottest March day in the city in the 20th and 21st centuries. It was the second-hottest March day since record-keeping began: It hit 82 on March 26, 1877.
The other 81-degree day came on March 29, 1978.
Hewko cited a significant amount of sunshine, as well as a strong easterly, downsloping wind, as potential contributors to the exceptionally warm day.
Temperatures began quickly cooling once evening hit, though, accompanied by thick clouds over the city.
Parts of Canyon County, particularly the Caldwell area, began experiencing thunderstorms with significant lightning Wednesday evening. Hewko said.
“We’re seeing some cumulus buildups over higher terrain late this afternoon, and even a thunderstorm moving through the Owyhee Mountains,” National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Groene said in a message. “Expect showers and thunderstorms to develop over southeast Oregon this evening, with isolated activity continuing in southwest Idaho.”
Hewko predicted the storms would miss Boise, but the NWS forecasts showed potential rain Friday afternoon and for much of the weekend, which might put a damper on some of the outdoor Treefort Music Fest activities. The 13th edition of the festival will have its main stage and plenty of other things in Julia Davis Park.
