Idaho – The sky looks clear, but the air tells a different story this morning. A faint haze hangs low over the Treasure Valley, and the stillness feels heavy as pollution becomes trapped close to the ground.
According to the National Weather Service in Boise, an Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect through early Monday. Light winds and a strong temperature inversion are preventing vertical mixing, allowing pollutants to build near the surface across southwest and south-central Idaho. Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and surrounding communities are included.
For Boise residents, the biggest impacts are invisible but important. Poor air quality can trigger breathing issues, especially for people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions. Outdoor exercise should be limited, and residents are urged to avoid unnecessary wood burning and reduce vehicle idling when possible.
Daytime temperatures climb into the mid to upper 50s through Friday and into the weekend, reinforcing the inversion. Calm winds persist, and skies stay mostly sunny, which can make conditions feel deceptively pleasant. To be fair, it looks like ideal February weather, but the stagnant air keeps pollution locked in place.
Travel impacts remain minimal, but visibility may appear slightly reduced at times, especially during the morning and evening. Anyone commuting should keep vents set to recirculate if air quality worsens.
Looking ahead, changes may arrive early next week as storm chances increase and winds slowly strengthen. Rain chances return late Sunday into Monday, which could help scour out the stagnant air. Longer-range trends hint at a more active pattern and above-normal temperatures later next week, offering cautious optimism for improved air quality.
Limit outdoor exposure, check on sensitive family members, and stay aware of local air quality updates. Are you noticing haze or irritation where you live?
Five-Day Outlook for Boise, Idaho
• Today: Partly sunny, high near 56
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 59
• Friday: Sunny, high near 58
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 56
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, high near 58
