textproduct: Boise

UPDATE

Updated aviation discussion.

KEY MESSAGES

- Very windy this afternoon in south-central Idaho, including the Western Magic Valley and Camas Prairie. - An atmospheric river will continue valley rain and heavy wet mountain snow in Baker County/OR and the Central ID Mountains through Saturday night.

- Very strong and possibly damaging wind Saturday along and behind a cold front. - Record high temperatures expected next Tuesday through Thursday. Monthly record highs for March will also be threatened.

SHORT TERM /Through Saturday Night/

Issued 328 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026 Forecast is essentially unchanged through Friday night with a Wind Advisory remaining in effect in south-central Idaho this afternoon and early evening. That area, which includes the Western Magic Valley and Camas Prairie, will have sustained west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Meanwhile, moderate to heavy pcpn will continue in the northern-most part of our CWA, i.e., along and north of 45N. Snow level, near 5000 feet MSL this morning, will rise to 6000-6500 feet this afternoon and stay there through Friday night. Today will be about 8 to 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, then remain mild through Saturday morning.

Saturday is looking increasingly likely to bring an impactful wind event into our CWA as a very strong speed max aloft, currently in the Gulf of Alaska within already strong zonal flow aloft, comes inland and through our CWA. The pattern has similarities to the wind event of December 17, 2025. We issued a High Wind Watch for all zones Saturday afternoon and early evening. West or northwest gusts up to 60 mph are possible along and just behind a surface cold front that will move eastward across our zones. The front itself, as well as the upper level feature, look stronger than before, with reasonable consistency among latest models. The front now has greater thermal contrast across it and should bring colder air into our CWA Saturday night than forecast earlier, with snow level lowering to valley floors by Sunday morning as pcpn comes to an end.

LONG TERM /Sunday through Thursday/

Issued 328 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026 Sunday looks sunny, breezy, and colder under strong northwesterly flow aloft. The cooling will be brief, however, as an upper ridge in the eastern Pacific will shift rapidly inland and begin a strong warming trend Monday. Tuesday through Thursday look very warm with record high temperatures likely, generally in the mid 70s to lower 80s in the valleys and 60s to lower 70s in the mountains, which would make them among the highest temperatures ever experienced so early in the year.

AVIATION /12Z Thursday through Friday/

Issued 542 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026

Generally VFR with broken-overcast AOA 150 MSL. Central ID mtns obscured with local MVFR/IFR in clouds and areas of rain and snow. Areas of LLWS until 18Z and after 13/00Z. Snow Level: 4.5-7kft MSL, rising to 6-8kft MSL by 13/00Z. Surface winds: In the Snake Basin SW-W 10-15 kt with gusts 20-30 kt, except gusts 35 kt east of KMUO 12/18Z to 13/02Z. Elsewhere W 6-12 kt with gusts to 20kt except gusts to 25kt 12/18Z to 13/02Z.Gusts to 45 kt near ridgetops. Winds aloft at 10kft MSL: W 45-55 kt.

KBOI...VFR under mid to high clouds. LLWS through 18Z and after 13/02Z. Surface winds: SE 10-15 kt 18Z Thu, then NW 15kt, with gusts 25-30 kt until 13/02Z.|

Weekend Outlook...Cold front Saturday with very strong westerly surface wind. Widespread rain and snow and mtn obscuration. Snow level lowering from near 7 kft to valley floors by 15Z Sunday. Becoming VFR Sunday with scattered-broken clouds. Snow showers continuing over northern mountains with areas MVFR and mountain obscuration.

BOI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ID...High Wind Watch from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for IDZ011>016-028>030-033. Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM MDT this evening for IDZ016-028-030. OR...High Wind Watch from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for ORZ061>064.