Areas of mist and slightly reduced visibility are occurring in the Treasure Valley Tuesday afternoon due to limited atmospheric mixing and light winds. This quiet weather pattern will get a significant jolt of activity Wednesday as an upper-level trough moves into the Pacific Northwest.
The approaching system will bring a quick-hitting cold front to the region, creating the most active weather the area has seen in recent weeks.
Wednesday brings mixed precipitation
The cold front will produce breezy westerly winds, especially across the Lower Snake Plain to the Magic Valley and on ridgetops. Snow will be the dominant precipitation type across the region.
Snow levels will gradually increase as the day progresses, starting at valley floors and rising to 3,500 to 4,500 feet by afternoon. This changing snow level will create a complex precipitation pattern across different elevations.
Freezing rain concerns
Pockets of freezing rain will occur in the Lower (western) Treasure Valley, generally south of the Ontario-Caldwell area. This creates potential slick travel conditions as ice could accumulate on some roadways and surfaces…