Every summer, the West experiences a typical pattern: a high-pressure system sits south of Idaho over the Four Corners region and creates hot weather in the Boise area. The system sits there for a few weeks and moves on, resulting in lower temperatures.
That’s what happened with Idaho earlier this summer. A high-pressure system settled over the Four Corners in late June, bringing 100-degree temperatures to Boise in time for July 4.
In most years, that system would have moved on by now and given us some relief. But not this summer.
The forecast highs in Boise over the next few days include 105 on Saturday, 106 on Sunday, 107 on Monday, 104 on Tuesday and 105 on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Here’s what to know about another hot stretch in Boise.
Record-breaking heat expected for Boise
Boise has already broken two records this summer, and the City of Trees will likely break a third next week.
Earlier this summer, Boise broke the record for most consecutive days with a high temperature over 105 degrees (five) and simultaneously broke the record for most consecutive days over 103 degrees (five).
Now, there’s a good chance that Boise could break its record for most consecutive days of at least 100 degrees.
Friday marked the fourth straight day that the temperature has exceeded 100 degrees, and based on forecasts, that streak will reach at least 10 days. The Weather Service has Boise peaking over 100 degrees at least through Thursday, which is also the lowest forecast high at 101 degrees.
The record is nine straight days, set on four occasions, including in July 2023.
“I think we’re pretty confident we’ll be above 100 degrees,” Weather Service meteorologist Josh Smith told the Statesman regarding temperatures for the next week.
The forecast high temperature of 107 degrees on Monday could also tie or break a daily record. The record temperature for July 22, set in 2003, is 108 degrees.
Dangerous heat leading to deaths, illness
The Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning through Tuesday, warning of “extreme heat” that will “significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses.”
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare told the Idaho Statesman it had recorded three heat-related deaths in 2024, all of which were people over the age of 60. St. Luke’s spokesperson Christine Myron told the Statesman that the St. Luke’s Meridian emergency department had seen 20 patients with heat-related illnesses between June 16 and July 13.
A Saint Alphonsus doctor told the Statesman that the hospital has seen many patients suffering from dehydration and other heat-related illnesses this summer. “Our recommendation — pay extra attention to hydration status, stay out of as much direct sunlight as possible, and make sure you’re staying cool by not overly exerting yourself in the middle of the day,” Dr. Nick Kroll, assistant medical director for emergency medicine at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, said via email.
Is there an end to 100-degree days in sight?
The Weather Service’s forecast only goes as far as Thursday, but Smith said he expects temperatures to start dropping slightly come next weekend.
Smith said that a low-pressure system from the Pacific Ocean is pushing its way inland, which will force out the high-pressure system and help cool temperatures.
“That low pressure that’s approaching the coast is going to come through the Pacific Northwest. And that should cool us down,” Smith said. “Now, when I say cool us down, it may bring us back to normal, maybe a degree below normal. But it will be at least below 100.”
Boise’s average late-July temperature is 94 degrees, so Treasure Valley residents can hope for slightly cooler temperatures soon.
Reporter Carolyn Komatsoulis contributed.
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