Winter Is Coming: Southern Idaho Expecting Snow & Freezing Temps

Southern Idaho Prepares for First Freeze of the Season

After an extended summer with daytime highs still reaching into the 80s as recently as Tuesday, Southern Idaho is gearing up for a drastic change in weather. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued the season’s first Freeze Watch, set to impact areas like Twin Falls and Jerome late Thursday night. And while it's expected that we'll see little in any accumulation, Southern Idaho could see its first snow of the season over the next couple of days.

Freeze Watch in Effect

According to the NWS, a Freeze Watch will take place from late Thursday night through Friday morning, with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 degrees expected. Residents of Twin Falls, Jerome, and surrounding areas in the Western Magic Valley should prepare for frost conditions that could harm crops, sensitive vegetation, and even outdoor plumbing.

Precautions:

Protect tender plants by bringing them indoors or covering them.
Ensure outdoor water pipes are insulated or allow a slow drip to prevent freezing.

Weather Summary by Day According to NWS

Thursday

Daytime: Showers with a high near 48°F. Southwest winds of 8 to 14 mph with gusts up to 26 mph. There's an 80% chance of precipitation, with up to half an inch of rainfall possible.
Nighttime: Expect a mix of rain and snow showers, although little to no snow accumulation is expected. Overnight lows will drop to around 30°F, with winds gusting up to 32 mph.

Friday

Daytime: Sunny skies will return, but temperatures will only reach a high of 49°F. Winds from the west will blow at 10 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph.
Nighttime: Clear skies and frigid temperatures are forecast, with a low around 26°F. Winds will shift to the south-southwest overnight.

Saturday

Daytime: Warmer conditions will return, with sunny skies and a high of 54°F.
Nighttime: Mostly clear skies will persist, but the temperature will remain cool, dropping to 31°F.

What’s Next

Following this cold snap, temps should start to warm back up into the low 60's on Sunday and into next week. For ongoing updates and preparedness tips, visit the National Weather Service’s website or tune in to local forecasts.