High Wind in Oregon, March 16, 2025

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boise ID
210 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Tuesday night...Strong winds
across much of Southeast Oregon and south of the Snake Plain
will continue into the evening, along with heavy mountain snow
above 6500 feet in the central Idaho mountains. Wind gusts of 45
to 75 MPH have been reported across Malheur, Harney, and Owyhee
Counties, causing a few small power outages as of 1 PM MDT.
Winds are now increasing across the Upper Treasure Valley and
Western Magic Valley and remain on track for gusts of 50-55 MPH
between 3 PM and 9 PM MDT, especially south of I-84 from
Mountain Home through the Western Magic Valley.

Snow levels have risen to around 5500 feet across the central
mountains, limiting additional snowfall accumulations at lower
elevations. Area webcams show wet roads as temperatures below
5500 feet have reached the mid-30s. Areas above 6500 feet will
continue experiencing periods of heavy snow through late tonight
with an additional 6-12 inches possible.

Tonight, a cold front will cross the region from northwest to
southeast, pushing the heavier precipitation eastward. This will
end the heavy snow across the high mountains and transition
mountain valleys back to all snow as precipitation tapers off.
Valley locations will remain as rain, with a few wet snowflakes
possibly reaching the western Magic Valley. The higher terrain
across far southeast Oregon and south of the Snake River in
Idaho will change over to snow with a 60% chance of 1-2 inches
through midday Monday. The Treasure Valley will see
precipitation with the cold frontal passage between 10 PM Sunday
and 3 AM Monday, with up to 0.20 inches of rain possible.

Convective snow and rain showers will develop under the upper-
level trough Monday afternoon across the area. The instability
(CAPE values around 150 J/KG) appears sufficient to support
strong showers capable of producing graupel and potentially
lightning (at least 15% chance).

Lower elevations will be mostly dry on Tuesday under cold
northwesterly flow. Showers will continue across the central
Idaho mountains in response to the trough positioned just to the
east. All areas will dry out Tuesday night as stable conditions
develop under a building ridge. Temperatures will remain below
normal throughout the period, with Tuesday being the coldest
day (about 10 degrees below normal).

.LONG TERM...Wednesday through Sunday...A brief upper level
ridge will pass over the forecast area on Wednesday, supporting
dry conditions for much of the day. Winds will be breezy,
however, as the next Gulf of Alaska trough approaches from the
WNW. This trough is forecast to arrive late Wed/Thursday,
resulting in cooler temperatures, lower snow levels around
3000-3500 ft MSL, and a high chance (60-90%) of showers across
SE Oregon and SW Idaho. Surface winds will continue to be breezy
during the day Thursday as showers continue. Activity should
briefly taper off Friday before the next trough arrives late Fri
into Sat. Additional showers will accompany the trough, along
with slightly milder temperatures and snow levels of 3500-4500
ft. Over the course of this long term forecast period, new
moderate to heavy mountain snowfall totals are anticipated as
the Pacific Northwest weather stays active. Overall, expect
temperatures to remain a few degrees below normal for this time
of year.

&&

.AVIATION...Mainly VFR. Periods of IFR-LIFR and mtn obscuration in
numerous snow showers. Moderate precip rates in mtns at times. Snow
levels 5500-6500 ft MSL. Threat of LLWS through tonight. Mountain
wave activity reported around 8k-10k ft MSL. Surface winds: SW to W
15-30 kt with gusts to 30-55 kt this afternoon, gradually decreasing
tonight. Winds aloft at 10kft MSL: SW to W 45-70 kt.

KBOI...Mainly VFR. Rain returning around 17/06Z, with temporary MVFR
cigs/vis. Surface winds: S to SW 15-20 kt with gusts 25-35 kt, then
brief WNW 10-20 kt with precip. Mountain wave activity reported
around 8k-10k feet MSL. LLWS likely this evening.

&&

.BOI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...Wind Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening IDZ014-016-030.
     High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening IDZ015-029.
OR...High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ this evening
     ORZ061-063.

&&

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SHORT TERM...JDS
LONG TERM....SH
AVIATION.....SH

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boise ID
907 AM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     Snow             12 NNE Deadwood Reservo 44.46N 115.58W
03/16/2025  M13.6 Inch       Valley             ID   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station DWDI1 Lowman 30 N.

&&