An inversion? Below-freezing temperatures? How about some black ice too, Boise?
As cooler temperatures have finally reached the Boise area, they have brought a slew of other weather-related phenomena.
When the dense layer of fog, known as an inversion, settled over the Treasure Valley on Thursday, concerns about air quality — and now icy roads — came with it.
Spencer Tangen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise, told the Idaho Statesman that the dense fog and cool temperatures created black ice on roads and sidewalks Thursday night and that those conditions could continue through the weekend.
“There is potential for more black ice to form,” Tangen said by phone. “We’re going to be just locked in this pattern through the weekend, where the most likely time for fog and black ice is going to be each night and into the morning.”
Drivers are encouraged to slow down on slick roads, he said, and to turn on their headlights during the day when it’s foggy outside to improve visibility. Tangen also reminded those walking around town that sidewalks and parking lots can be hazardous and icy.
The Ada County Sheriff’s Office also shared tips, like using headlights and slowing down, for safe driving in icy and foggy conditions, after deputies responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash at the intersection of Franklin and McDermott roads Friday morning. Even when the fog lifts, the Sheriff’s Office encouraged drivers to leave extra space between vehicles to allow for more reaction time.
Hoping to get relief from the inversion? You’ll have to wait until at least early next week, Tangen said.
“It’s very likely that we’ll continue to see the inversion continue beyond this weekend into at least beginning of next week, if not the middle part of next week,” he said. “Probably around Wednesday or Thursday is when we can start seeing some improvement.”
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 10:44 AM.
