How much snow will Idaho get? Forecast calls for ‘lowest temperatures’ of season
Snow is on the way to the Boise area — and the rest of Idaho.
Flakes will start falling overnight on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and continue into the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 18, according to the National Weather Service’s latest forecast.
“An active winter weather pattern will persist across Idaho through Wednesday,” the weather service said in its Idaho state forecast discussion on Tuesday.
“A very cold air mass will settle in behind the front, bringing some of the lowest temperatures of the season to northern and central Idaho,” the forecast discussion said, before drier and warmer weather conditions return to the Gem State.
Here’s what to expect:
How much snow will Idaho get?
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Jackson MacFarlane, the Sawtooth range and Trinity Mountain will receive the most snow fall during the week.
Trinity Mountain could see approximately 1.5 feet of snow, MacFarlane said, while Idaho’s central mountain ranges will receive at least a foot of snow.
However, the meteorologist said, there will be significantly less snow in the valleys.
MacFarlane said those areas will see “sporadic” and “popcorn-y” snow showers with sudden on-and-off flurries.
MacFarlane told the Idaho Statesman that the valleys may see only two-tenths to four-tenths of an inch of snowfall.
“It will be a race between how fast those temperatures warm up after the sun rises, but also whether we actually get those showers over the population areas,” the forecaster said.
Should I plan a trip to Bogus Basin?
The Bogus Basin ski area was expecting heavy snowfall on Tuesday with more to come later in the week, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
“Got the powder flu?” Bogus Basin said Tuesday on its website. “We can fix that. See you on the snow!”
According to the ski resort’s website, Bogus Basin had a base depth of 32 inches of snow, with another foot expected overnight.
The ski resort advised riders to “bundle up” before they head to the mountain with “warmer base layers, a scarf or neck buff and insulated, waterproof outer layers.”
Bogus Basin community and customer relations director Susan Saad told the Statesman the mountain has seen 11 inches of fresh powder so far this week.
According to Saad, this week’s snowy forecast has Bogus Basin staff expecting “additional terrain openings by the weekend.”
“The skiing and riding conditions are great, and we’re excited to welcome this much-needed snow to the mountain,” Saad said.
What weather is in store for Boise?
According to MacFarlane, periodic snowfall and low temperatures on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 18, may cause hazardous driving conditions across Boise.
However, the forecaster told the Statesman that snow is “kinda hit or miss” in Idaho’s capital city.
“During the week, snow amounts for Thursday and Friday are pretty much at zero,” MacFarlane said.
The potential for flurries will wane on Saturday, the weather service said.
“A brief period of drier and warmer conditions is expected this weekend as a ridge builds over the state,” the weather service said in its state forecast discussion. “Temperatures will likely rebound into the mid 50s for southern valleys by Sunday.”
What’s the forecast for Boise?
Boise was expected to see a “chance of rain and snow showers” on Tuesday with a high temperature near 45 degrees and winds up to 22 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
The temperature will drop to 28 degrees overnight, when there’s a 50% chance of precipitation.
“New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch (is) possible,” the weather service said.
There’s a 50% chance of snow showers in Boise on Wednesday. The high will be near 40, while the overnight low will be around 23.
MacFarlane told the Statesman showers are most likely to occur later, between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19, will be partly sunny with “little to no snow accumulation” expected, the weather service said.
The high will be near 42 and the low will be around 24.
Friday, Feb. 20, will have a high near 40 and a low around 23.
The weekend brings back warmer temperatures and a momentary break from the clouds.
Saturday, Feb. 21, will have a high of 45 and a low around 32, while Sunday, Feb. 22 will have a high of 53 and a low of 37.
At that point, a rainstorm is expected to roll into Boise.
Rain is likely on Monday, Feb. 23, with a 60% chance of showers and a high near 55. The overnight low will be around 38.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 4:08 PM.
