textproduct: Boise

UPDATE

Updated aviation discussion.

KEY MESSAGES

- Rain and snow showers area-wide through the day with snow levels dipping to around 3000 feet in the AM today.

- Windy with westerly gusts up to 45 mph in the Camas Prairie and Western Magic Valley today.

- Warming and drying trend Friday into early next week.

SHORT TERM /Through Saturday Night/

Issued 301 AM MDT THU APR 2 2026 A strong trough of low pressure will swing through the region today into tonight. Showery precipitation is expected area-wide under the trough, with snow levels dipping to around 3000 feet this morning. Northern mountain areas will receive 8-12 inches of snow, with mountain valleys of central Idaho seeing 3-5 inches. Lower valleys, including the Treasure and Magic Valleys, will see the potential for minor accumulations. The greatest lower valley impacts are possible in the Magic Valley where a 20-30% chance of an inch or more of accumulation exists this morning. Winds are expected to increase along and behind the troughs associated cold front, with values picking up area-wide by late morning. The strongest winds are expected over the Camas and Magic valleys of Idaho as well as the Highway 93 corridor between Twin Falls and the Nevada border. A 60-70% of winds greater than 30 mph exists for these areas and gusts up to 45 mph are not out of the question. Temperatures will be 5-10 degrees below normal today.

There is good agreement amongst model guidance that high pressure will rebound northward over the region tonight into the weekend. The ridge will bring a pronounced drying and warming trend with a 90% chance of high temperatures exceeding 60 degrees for valley locations by Saturday, firmly putting us 5-10 degrees above normal yet again.

LONG TERM /Sunday through Thursday/

Issued 301 AM MDT THU APR 2 2026 Broad ridging will continue to hang over the northwest region Sunday through early next week, sustaining drier and warmer conditions. Peak daytime temperatures are expected to be 10-20 degrees above normal through midweek. Come Tuesday, there is good guidance agreement on a Pacific upper low moving inland towards the coasts of Northern California/Southern Oregon and gradually digging south of our area over the Great Basin by the end of next week. However, there is considerable uncertainty over its arrival timing and whether a shortwave north of it will sweep across our area by Thursday. For now, the long-term forecast has a 20-40% chance of precipitation mainly over higher terrain late Tuesday through early Thursday.

AVIATION /12Z Thursday through Friday/

Issued 603 AM MDT THU APR 2 2026 Strong frontal passage will continue scattered snow showers and gusty winds this morning through afternoon. MVFR-IFR conditions in heavier snow showers. Mountains obscured. Snow levels down to valley floors. A chance of thunderstorms with small hail/graupel showers in the afternoon, mainly over SW ID. Surface winds: W-NW 10-15 kt with gusts to 30 kt throughout today. Strongest gusts up to 40 kt expected over Magic Valley this afternoon. Winds aloft at 10kft MSL: W-NW 40-50 kt.

KBOI...Low VFR with scattered snow/rain showers and W-NW winds 10-15 kt with gusts 25-30 kt this morning through afternoon. A chance of thunderstorms with small hail/graupel showers in the afternoon after 21Z.

Weekend Outlook...A high pressure system will bring a dry and clear weekend, with winds SW-SE under 10 kt through Saturday/Sunday. Patchy fog possible in sheltered mountain valleys Saturday morning.

BOI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Friday for IDZ011. Wind Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening for IDZ016-028-030. OR...None.