Is Idaho considered gloomy? Freezing? (Boise, Idaho Falls: dangerous, average, summers)

[ohiosgreat]

Is Idaho weather considered gloomy? and Freezing.....? If so, which parts...what part has better weather?
what is the snow like?
Thanks....

[ILI.EB]

It depends on what you consider "better weather" I'd prefer the weather to be like it is in North Idaho; more gloomy and snowy, but fresher, cooler (both summer and winter, etc)

Lewiston and Boise are the warmer spots in the state. Boise averages about 19" of snow annually, has moderate summers (near 100 for 1/3rd of the season) Winter daytime highs dont often fall below mid to upper 30s; spring and fall can be extensions of summer or winter. The only time Boise really gets gloomy for long periods of time are during a period of inversion.

[banjomike]

Idaho is actually 2 different states divided in the middle by mountains. The north is lower and wetter overall than the south, and gets most of it's climate from Washington, while the south is higher and drier and gets most of it's climate from Oregon. Oftentimes, a winter storm hits N. Idaho first, but the mountains in the middle tend to split the weather, so S. Idaho may get the storm later or not at all. Typically, N. Idaho is gloomier in winters than S. Idaho, but winters are typically colder in the south due to it's elevation. The snow in the north is typically wetter, while the south gets more dry powder snow. Both can be very snowy.

Winter temps usually hover around freezing for most of the winter. Typically, Idaho gets real cold around January for about 10 days, and the temps can go way down. Below zero temps usually occur when a high sets in during this time. When it gets real cold, it's always very dry; unless there is wind, -10 often feels like 0 during a sunny day. But when a wind is blowing, those temps can become dangerous if a person goes out unprepared.

Summers in the north are generally a few degrees cooler than the south, with slightly warmer nights. The south gets somewhat less rain than the north, but the state overall is dry; 18" of rain is the yearly average. Average temp in summer is in the mid-80's, but can get into the low to mid 90's. Temps over 100 happen, but they usually don't last very long. Elevation plays a large part in how hot it is; valleys always become hotter than the mountains.

To really understand the state, you need to look at a topographical map. The division in the middle is not clear cut. Even though S. Idaho looks relatively flat, Idaho is very mountainous everywhere. The tallest are in the southern chains, but the north has more of them.

[ILI.EB]

Also note that the weather between SW Idaho and SE Idaho is very different.

[Shaner]

What banjo said exactly

[mistyriver]

Compared to Ohio...no.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

In December and January..days are very SHORT, and with a fair amount of clouds. But compared to Buffalo (my old stomping grounds) we're a sunny wonderland.

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

In December and January..days are very SHORT, and with a fair amount of clouds. But compared to Buffalo (my old stomping grounds) we're a sunny wonderland.

Also, we don't have the dreary, bare winter woods like back east does. We have lovely conifers decked out in snow. I love the northwest.

[Walkaboutcda]

It's all a matter of perspective. Right now in Coeur d'Alene it is 30 degrees and snowing, what a beautiful day!

[pw72]

As others have stated, Idaho has a number of different climates. In general, NID is more like Washington State, especially Eastern WA. That means some gloom, a decent snowfall, and temps that are cold, but not usually frigid.

SW and SE Idaho are drier, generally sunnier, and hotter in the summer, and can be downright cold (especially SE Idaho) in the winter. (Idaho Falls hit a blistering 22 today, and that isn't that far from average, believe it or not)