Tracking more heat with scattered storms into midday and a cooler weekend
High pressure dome keeps us in the heat with scattered storm chances sliding in by lunch. Slight chances of thunder and quick hits of wind can surprise everyone and by this weekend we'll actually have some moisture in those scattered storms with a cold front and yes, even cooler temps. Highs today at 90, mid 80's in the mountains. Pushing 97 in Boise and 79 in Pinedale. 81 in Island Park.
Winds push us in the afternoons and temps drop to 70's by Sunday and even cooler into next week.
Heat hangs on, but a cooler weekend is coming
Summer is not ready to give up just yet. A stubborn area of high pressure is keeping Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming warm today, with plenty of afternoon heat building before scattered showers and thunderstorms begin sliding into the picture around midday.
For outdoor plans, the morning and early afternoon may be the most comfortable window, but don't let the sunshine fool you. A few of these storms could pop up quickly, bringing a brief shower, a rumble of thunder and sudden wind gusts. Some spots may get rain while others nearby stay completely dry — classic late-summer scattered-storm behavior.
Temperatures reach around 90° across much of the Snake River Plain, with mid-80s in the mountains. Boise could push toward 97°, while cooler mountain communities stay much more comfortable, including around 81° in Island Park and 79° in Pinedale.
The wind becomes another part of the afternoon story. Even outside of thunderstorms, breezy conditions can develop, while storms may produce quick, stronger gusts. If you're boating, camping, working outside or traveling through open country, keep an eye on the sky because conditions can change quickly.
The weekend brings a real pattern change
The bigger story is what happens next. As we head toward the weekend, we're expecting more moisture to work into the region along with a cold front, giving scattered showers and thunderstorms a better chance to actually produce rain rather than just wind and lightning.
That front will also knock the temperature down. By Sunday, highs fall back into the 70s for many communities, with even cooler weather developing into next week.
So if you've been waiting for a break from the heat, it's coming. This is a good weekend to take advantage of the change — hiking, camping, yard work and other outdoor plans should become much more comfortable once the hottest air moves out.
Bottom line: enjoy the remaining summer heat today, keep an eye out for quick midday showers and gusty storms, and get ready for a noticeably cooler weekend. The forecast is shifting from hot and mostly dry to cooler, more active and more moisture-rich across Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming.
