Rain, lightning and soft hail hit Boise area. See totals — and what’s next
Rain showers and soft hail soaked the Boise area on Wednesday, accompanied by lightning strikes and freezing temperatures.
“Windy and colder” weather was expected across Idaho on Thursday, April 16, with wind gusts up to 40 mph, the National Weather Service said in its most recent Idaho state forecast discussion.
Agricultural areas in southern Idaho will experience freezes on Friday and early Saturday, according to the state forecast discussion.
Here’s how much rainfall Boise received and what’s next:
How much rain did Boise get?
In total, Boise received a half inch of rain on Wednesday, with about three-tenths of an inch as a result of the thunderstorm, according to David Groenert, a senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Boise.
In addition to rain showers, parts of Ada County saw a sudden onslaught of snow pellets known as graupel, Groenert told the Idaho Statesman over the phone.
Although the weather service recorded only trace amounts of soft hail at its Gowen Field station, Groenert received photo evidence of varying amounts around Ada County.
Some neighborhoods saw very little graupel while ground in downtown Boise was covered with the tiny frozen pellets, Groenert said.
“It’s certainly the nature of these kinds of thunderstorms,” he said.
Lightning strikes crackled through the clouds 37 times during the storm in Ada County, according to the meteorologist.
What’s next for Treasure Valley weather?
Groenert said “lingering showers” were expected at higher elevations on Thursday, with a 20% chance of precipitation.
Windy weather will stick around as temperatures drop below freezing.
Idaho will see a warming trend over the weekend before another storm system arrives early next week, according to the state forecast discussion.
“Beginning Monday, a more active and moist weather pattern is forecast to return, increasing the likelihood of precipitation across the state,” the weather service said. “River levels expected to rise in northern and central Idaho due to recent heavy rain and snow, mountain snowmelt and more rain and snow expected next week.”
Freeze warning issued for Snake Plain
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for the Snake Plain in Southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon.
It will remain in effect from midnight to 10 a.m. on Friday.
“Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 24 to 28 degrees are expected,” the weather service said.
Forecasters urged area residents to “take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the weather service said in its warning.
What’s in the forecast for Boise?
According to the National Weather Service’s current seven-day forecast for Boise, the City of Trees could see isolated rain and snow showers on Thursday as well as some thunder and wind gusts up to 28 mph.
There was a 20% chance of precipitation.
On Thursday, the high temperature was expected to reach 47 degrees, while the overnight low temperature was expected to plummet to 27 degrees.
Sunny weather is forecast for Friday, with a high of 58 and a low of 33.
Saturday will see more sunshine with a high near 67 degrees and an overnight low of 41.
Winds could gust up to 24 mph on Saturday.
Sunday will be partly sunny with a high near 75 and overnight low of 48.
The high on Monday will reach 77 degrees.
There’s a 20% chance of showers on Monday night, when the low drops to 48.
Storms are expected to stick around on Tuesday, which will be mostly sunny with a 30% chance of precipitation.
The high will be near 70, while the overnight low will be near 44 degrees.
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 11:58 AM.
