textproduct: Boise

DISCUSSION

Widespread showers continue across much of the area this morning as a weak cold front pushes slowly south and east. Snow levels have dropped to around 4500 to 5500 feet MSL behind the front, but precipitation has ended post frontal passage. Drier air will move into the region this afternoon as a transient upper level ridge begins to build from the west. This will lead to clearing skies for southeast Oregon and eventually southwest Idaho by this evening. Breezy conditions expected across south-central Idaho with the strongest winds, gusts up to 40 MPH, in the Camas Prairie and Western Magic Valley. Patchy fog is expected to develop in the valleys early Thursday morning given the recent moisture and clearing skies. Temperatures today will be cooler than Tuesday, returning closer to seasonal normals. No updates needed at this time.

AVIATION

Intermittent showers into the afternoon with periods of MVFR and IFR. Mountains obscured. Patchy LIFR fog this morning. Surface winds: W-NW 5-15kt, except 20G30kt near KJER and KTWF this afternoon, becoming light after sunset. Winds aloft at 10 kft MSL: W 30-45 kt easing to 20-30kt by this evening.

KBOI...Intermittent showers this morning with chances of MVFR ceilings 10-15% through 20z, otherwise VFR. Surface winds: NW 7-13 kt this afternoon.

PREV DISCUSSION

SHORT TERM...Today through Friday night...A weak cold front will move across the area today. Showers will continue this morning, especially across the central ID mountains, before shifting south and tapering off this afternoon as drier air arrives. Snow levels 6000-7500 ft MSL this morning will fall to around 4000-5500 feet by this afternoon, resulting in 1-3" snow above 6000 feet and less than an inch below. There is ample low-level moisture for patchy fog development this morning, favored in sheltered valleys where any clearing in mid to high clouds occurs. High temperatures this afternoon will be a few degrees warmer than yesterday in most locations due to drier conditions. Winds will gust 20-35 mph today, except up to 45 mph in the Camas Prairie and Magic Valley this afternoon.

Northwest flow aloft will return Thursday and Friday as a ridge builds along the coast. This will keep our area dry with passing high clouds. High temperatures will warm to slightly above normal by Friday. Lows will be near normal, coldest tonight with lower valleys in the upper 20s to lower 30s, and mountains in the 10s and 20s. Winds will be breezy each afternoon, strongest on ridgelines and in the Magic Valley with gusts 20-30 mph.

LONG TERM...Saturday through Wednesday...A weak system will bring a 30-50 percent chance of showers Saturday afternoon through Sunday as a weak system tracks across OR into the Great Basin. Snow levels range from 5000ft near Baker City and McCall, to around 7500ft near the NV border with this system. The system slowly tracks southward on Monday with upper level ridging building into the area. This will bring Spring-like temperatures, with valleys reaching the low to mid 60s on Tuesday or around 10-15 degrees above normal. Ensembles now hint at a cold front moving through the area late Wednesday, with snow levels lowering to around 4000-5000ft and light snow accumulations over the mountains.

BOI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ID...None. OR...None.