Boise, Idaho – Strong winds sweeping across southwest Idaho could create difficult travel conditions through early evening as wind gusts up to 45 mph hit the Treasure Valley while a stronger storm system approaches for the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Boise, a Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday with sustained west winds between 20 and 30 mph and higher gusts capable of pushing lightweight vehicles and blowing debris across roads. Cities including Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, and Ontario, Oregon may experience the strongest gusts during the afternoon hours.
The incoming system will also bring scattered rain showers across the lower elevations and snow in the mountains through the weekend. Forecast precipitation totals show 0.25 to 0.50 inches possible across parts of southwest Idaho, while higher elevations from Cascade and McCall to the Sawtooth and Stanley areas could receive significantly heavier precipitation.
Mountain communities may see several inches of snow, particularly around the central Idaho ranges, while valley locations remain mostly rain.
A High Wind Watch is in effect Saturday afternoon as a cold front moves through the region. Forecast models show sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph, which could lead to difficult driving on exposed highways including I-84 and U.S. 20.
Forecasters say additional updates are likely as the cold front approaches, with the strongest winds and mountain snow expected late Saturday into early Sunday.
