Boise, Idaho – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 could bring above-normal snowfall across Idaho, increasing the likelihood of prolonged winter weather impacts statewide.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), Idaho is included in a broad corridor of elevated snowfall probabilities extending across the northern Rockies and into the Pacific Northwest and northern Plains. The outlook indicates a higher chance of more frequent or longer-duration snow events compared to typical February conditions.
Both northern and southern Idaho are included in the above-normal snowfall zone. Mountain regions, including the Bitterroots, Sawtooths, and central Idaho ranges, show strong signals for repeated accumulating snow events. Valleys and lower elevations, including parts of the Snake River Plain, are also favored for increased snowfall during stronger winter systems.
CPC monthly outlooks do not provide specific snowfall totals or storm timing. Instead, they evaluate how total snowfall during the month may compare to long-term averages. For February 2026, the guidance suggests cumulative snowfall or the number of snow events could exceed normal levels across much of the state.
Temperature outlooks for February indicate near-normal to below-normal conditions across Idaho. This temperature profile supports snow rather than rain or mixed precipitation during most systems and increases the potential for sustained snow cover, mountain pass closures, and periodic travel disruptions.
Neighboring regions including Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and western Canada are also included in the above-normal snowfall zone, reinforcing confidence in a large-scale winter pattern rather than isolated events.
Motorists, freight operators, outdoor recreation industries, and mountain communities across Idaho are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when outlooks are refined and confidence increases closer to the season.
