BOISE, Idaho — Ideal conditions continue to round out the weekend. So, any outdoor plans you have for Mother's Day (Sunday) are looking fabulous. Valley winds will be light, ample sunshine is expected, and highs will be in the 70's and 80's for both mountain and valley locations. Treasure Valley spots will even see highs in the mid 80's, which means high 60's and 70's will be what you can expect for your brunch plans. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Saturday was also a stunner of a day with highs in the low 70's in the mountains and upper 70's and low 80's in valley areas. The warmer outlier though was Ontario, with a high of 86°.
These temperatures are about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year. But, fall short of the records, which are in the 90's for valley areas. The above average trend looks to continue with a slight dip in temps as we start the new work week.
There are a few changes expected on Monday as a weak low pressure trough moves across the area. Valley winds will be increasing again with gusts up to 40 mph possible (through Tuesday). Mountain areas will see a chance of light, spotty showers on Monday.
As the low pressure exits the region, temperatures warm back up slightly and conditions dry out. A nice stretch of 70's and 80's are expected in the days ahead.
Heads up for stargazers and space weather enthusiasts, the Aurora Borealis may be visible again in southern Idaho and southeast Oregon. Tonight's potential does look to be lower than yesterday, as readings are off to a slower start. But, the Space Weather Prediction Center's forecast includes a maximum KP value of 9 in the overnight hours. (Usually, in southern Idaho we can start to see the northern lights on the horizon with a KP of 7.) The highest potential is timing out later, all the way until 4/5am on Sunday. KP values fluctuate in real time, so you may be able to see something outside the "ideal" time frame. And unfortunately, not seeing anything is also possible as we await the next wave of solar radiation to reach us.
If you're interested, the best way to see them is to get away from city lights after sunset and train your eyes - and your camera - on the northern sky. Sometimes they can still be happening right above you, but the naked eye won't be able to see it. So even if you snap a picture and edit it, you may be able to spot them. You'll want to also set your cell phone camera to "night mode", if you can.
There is still a G4 or "severe" geomagnetic storm watch in place by Space Weather Prediction Center for May 11th and 12th.
As of Friday night, reports were flooding in from across the world of spectacular views during a G5 or "severe" geomagnetic storm. It was the first time there's been a geomagnetic storm this strong since October of 2003. The northern lights were spotted as far south as South Florida, Arkansas, Southern Alabama, and Texas.
Post your photos using Near Me in the KTVB app and you can also share them in our Idaho Weather Watchers Facebook group.
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KTVB Weather Team
- Idaho's Chief Meteorologist Rick Lantz began his broadcasting career in 1975 working in both radio and television in Weiser, Caldwell, Nampa, and Boise. He has been bringing you the weather each weeknight for 40 years on KTVB.
- Meteorologist Sophia Bliss has been a part of the KTVB team since December of 2019. She started producing for the Wake Up Idaho team and continues to work as a producer. Additionally, Sophia is a meteorologist. She writes special weather stories and forecasts as a member of the First Alert Weather team. She loves the science of weather and enjoys the opportunity to explain how “magic” of the science works.
- Meteorologist Rachel Garceau joined KTVB’s First Alert Weather team as a broadcast meteorologist in May of 2023. While Rachel started her news career behind the scenes as a producer, she eventually moved in front of the camera as a news anchor and fill-in weather anchor. After spending some time on the green screen, Rachel realized she had a passion for the “why” behind the weather, and especially for the challenges presented by forecasting Idaho’s four distinct seasons. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning from 5-7am on Wake Up Idaho.
- Weather Anchor Hector Mendoza joined KTVB in June of 2023 as a Multi Skilled Journalist and became a member of the First Alert Weather team shortly thereafter, in July of 2023. Hector started off as the weather anchor for KTVB's Saturday Morning News but rang in 2024 by also taking over weather duties for the News at Noon. Whether planning for the week ahead or just wondering what's in store for the weekend, Hector is excited to help keep Idahoans informed about the conditions that matter most to them. You can catch him on Saturday mornings from 8-10am and on the News at Noon Tuesday through Friday.
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