Boise has ‘plenty of time’ for snow in this weak winter. But up next? Inversion
Happy new year, Boise!
Unless you were hoping that wintry weather was going to arrive with 2026, bringing some snow to the area and to the region’s mountain towns.
You might not be fully out of luck, but mostly, things look pretty sad.
For those staying down in the Treasure Valley this week, the best chance for glimpsing some snow will be Wednesday night into Thursday morning, David Groenert, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Idaho Statesman. But it’s not expected to stick to the ground.
More than likely, Boiseans are going to see rain this week.
While other parts of the Pacific Northwest have seen heavy rainfall, it will be much lighter here, said Groenert, who is based in Boise. Despite the wetter conditions, Groenert said, there are no concerns about flooding or landslides.
Those headed to the mountains, whether it’s a quick day trip to Bogus Basin or a weekend stay in the McCall area, can expect some snow toward the middle of this week, and cold enough temperatures to keep it around, Groenert said.
The Boise area so far is experiencing one of the warmest winters in years. Groenert said last month was the third-warmest December in history, trailing only 1917 and 1933. He said the average temperature last month was 41.6 degrees.
As for snow, there’s been hardly any. The National Weather Service has measured 0.1 inches of snow in Boise, Groenert said. And the agency said on social media that since 1899, it’s the lowest cumulative total “on record for the date.”
“We still have plenty of time to get more snow,” Groenert said. “You know, we’ve measured snow here even into May. It’s not over. It’s just so far we’re tracking near record lows.”
To make matters more interesting, Groenert said the Treasure Valley is going to be “staring down an inversion” at the end of this week and into next, as the wetter conditions turn dry. The expected inversion, which is when warm air traps colder air beneath it, could bring air quality concerns to the Treasure Valley.
Depending on how long the inversion lasts, Groenert said, the area also could see fog and low-level clouds.
“You’re cloudy down here, and then you drive up to Bogus, and it’s sunny and a few degrees warmer,” Groenert said. “We’ll have to wait and see how it shapes up, but certainly that potential is there.”
