Dry and breezy conditions will persist through Friday before an Alaskan low-pressure system moves into the region this weekend, bringing cooler temperatures, gusty winds, and mountain snow.
Despite near-normal temperatures, conditions remain very dry with afternoon minimum relative humidity values in the teens in lower elevations and 20s in higher elevations. Wind gusts in the afternoon will reach 20 to 30 mph in the upper Snake River Plain, ridges, and highlands. Overnight winds in most areas will calm to 10 mph or less, while gusts up to 25 mph will persist on ridges and along the Snake River.
A breezy & cooler weekend in Scott Dorval's video forecast
An approaching Alaskan low will move into the region Saturday morning. Clouds will increase and showers will develop north of the area early in the morning, moving into eastern Oregon and western Idaho later in the morning and early afternoon. As the core of the low moves through, precipitation will shift from northwest to southeast and remain focused over mountains and highlands. The colder air mass accompanying the low will drop snow levels to 4,000 feet by midnight Saturday, potentially dropping even lower into Sunday. This system will also bring a return of very gusty winds beginning Saturday afternoon, with gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph.
A cold-core low will center over the Northern Rockies on Sunday, continuing well-below-normal temperatures across eastern Oregon and southwest Idaho. Snow levels will be low Sunday morning, around 3,500 to 4,500 feet, before rising to 5,000 to 6,000 feet by Sunday afternoon. A chance of showers is forecast mainly over the mountains, with light snow accumulations possible for higher terrain. Unstable conditions due to cold air aloft may also allow isolated thunderstorms to develop Sunday afternoon.
Windy conditions will last through the rest of the weekend as the forecast area sits on the back side of the low. The low is expected to depart toward the east on Monday, allowing temperatures to rebound while winds and shower coverage decrease. Warmer and drier conditions are anticipated for Wednesday and Thursday.
Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 46. Wind becoming calm.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, cool and breezy, with a high near 62. NW wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. NW wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, very breezy & unseasonably cool, with a high near 61. NWwind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38. NW wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 68.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 77.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 82.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 82.
