A cold front swept through the region today, bringing dangerous wind gusts up to 60 mph, widespread blowing dust, and thunderstorms east of Boise. Subsiding wind through this evening leads to a cooler, pleasant Thursday.
Wind Advisory in Effect Today
Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph in open areas and 20 to 30 mph in sheltered valleys are widespread across the forecast area, prompting the issuance of a Wind Advisory. The wind has kicked up dust from dry lakebeds, playas, and dry agricultural areas, reducing visibility to as low as 1 mile near dust sources while most of the area experiences a general haziness.
A few more hours of storms are possible in the Magic Valley before precipitation moves out of the area. Gusts up to 60 mph and lightning are possible in these storms, though the dry atmosphere will limit precipitation rates. The Wind Advisory on the Idaho side is set to expire around midnight.
Dry and Breezy Thursday and Friday
Behind the cold front, conditions will remain dry and breezy Thursday and Friday as tight zonal flow sets in aloft. Temperatures will drop to just above normal for this time of year. Afternoon minimum relative humidity values will stay very low, and the dryness will increase the daily temperature spread, bringing morning lows down to about 5 degrees below normal.
Significant Cooldown and Mountain Snow This Weekend
A large trough will move onshore and across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies this weekend, bringing a significant cooling trend. Daytime temperatures will drop 10 to 15 degrees below normal by Sunday, along with breezy to windy conditions in northwest flow.
Precipitation chances of 30 to 50 percent are expected over the northernmost mountain areas, including McCall, Saturday night and Sunday. Higher terrain across the south will see a 20 to 30 percent chance of precipitation. Snow levels will lower to around 4,000 to 5,000 feet, bringing snow to higher elevations…