Boise, ID – A weak La Niña forming over the Pacific is poised to reinforce cold, snowy conditions across Idaho and Montana through Winter 2026.
According to the National Weather Service Missoula, northwest flow aloft will channel frequent clipper systems that build snowpack from the Bitterroots to Glacier Park. Temperatures may run 3 to 6 degrees below normal at times, with January and February favoring the coldest outbreaks. Ranchers and highway crews are preparing for early livestock sheltering and prolonged plowing on I-90 and U.S. 93. Utility providers urge residents to insulate exposed pipes and check generators before subzero nights return.
Outdoor enthusiasts should watch avalanche advisories once mountain snow depth increases. While La Niña events can vary, historical patterns suggest above-average snowfall totals for much of western Montana and central Idaho.
