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SW Idaho, the Boise area doesn't get the temp swings like Denver. SE Idaho is more apt to experience the extreme cold, such as below zero. This is rare in the Treasure Valley.
True, the climate changes greatly from Boise east to Pocatello and Idaho Falls. As I posted earlier Boise is still somewhat influenced by the Pacific, while Idaho Falls/Poky is more continental with a more Rocky mountain influence. However I am beginning to think this thread has taken me into the Groundhog Day movie!
SW Idaho, the Boise area doesn't get the temp swings like Denver. SE Idaho is more apt to experience the extreme cold, such as below zero. This is rare in the Treasure Valley.
Thank you.
Using google satellite I'm struggling to find any treed scenic areas in SWID. Is it all prairie out there?
It is mostly prairie along the I-84 corridor in southern Idaho. The majority of the trees are to the north, with some pockets to the south and east of Twin Falls, and along the far east ID/WY/UT boarders (think Bear Lake area). To the north of I-84 you get to Cascade/McCall (Long Valley), Hailey/Sun Valley/Salmon, and then northeast of I-15 as you get close to Montana and Yellowstone. Still mostly sunny in those locations. Similar weather to Denver in that rain/snow come in distinct storm events, not long-term rain like the West Coast. Typically a storm comes through, it rains/snows for a few hours to a day, then it moves on and it's mostly sunny until the next storm approaches. Usually, the more trees and mountains there are fewer people living in the area. Development came along the rail lines and later the freeway.
Using google satellite I'm struggling to find any treed scenic areas in SWID. Is it all prairie out there?
Southwest Idaho, named the Treasure Valley is part of the Snake River plains, but mountains are always in view when compared to the plains that cover much of Colorado. The valley extending west of Boise to the Oregon State line is a fertile and diverse agricultural area and much greener when compared to the prairies outside of Denver. The valley isn't all flat either.
If you look at the map satellite images, you will see the evergreen forests begin outside of Boise city limits and continues up to Canada. You can see the forest at the top of the mountain ridge above the valley. If you live in Boise, Meridian or Eagle, you can be in the forests within a half hours drive on winding roads.
Driving 4000 feet up Bogus Basin Road out of downtown will offer you an incredible view of the valley and the immense mountains and forests that are in Boise's backyard.
Boise has an impressive tree canopy thus its nickname. All of the other cities and towns in the valley have mature trees. The Boise River that flows through the valley also has an impressive tree canopy lining it on both sides.
Take a peek in the picture thread.
Last edited by TohobitPeak; 02-19-2021 at 10:43 AM..
I forgot to add that South West Idaho also includes the forested mountain areas north of Boise, it is not confined to the valley floor. Garden Valley, along the South Fork of the Payette River is a residential area, somewhat considered a far flung suburb of Boise and is in heavy forests. There are also other areas outside of city limits up Highway 21 towards Idaho City that are in the woods.
This area of Idaho has a diverse and beautiful landscape. The Owyhee Canyonlands (much is a wilderness area) south of Boise are probably the most beautiful desert canyons anywhere that a lot of people have never heard about.
True, the climate changes greatly from Boise east to Pocatello and Idaho Falls. As I posted earlier Boise is still somewhat influenced by the Pacific, while Idaho Falls/Poky is more continental with a more Rocky mountain influence. However I am beginning to think this thread has taken me into the Groundhog Day movie!
Boise still has a semi-arid climate for the most part, however, the extreme intensity of the sun is less because it is a good bit further north than Denver and at a lower elevation. The dry air combined with intense sun angle is very off putting to me on Denver.
Boise still has a semi-arid climate for the most part, however, the extreme intensity of the sun is less because it is a good bit further north than Denver and at a lower elevation. The dry air combined with intense sun angle is very off putting to me on Denver.
Yes, Boise only gets 13 inches of precipitation per year, but 18 inches of snow. I guess that snowfall is factored in to the total precip. However, west coast storms usually effect Boise to some extent, usually with less precipitation, thus my post that they do relate to the area.
Any towns in Idaho have as good or better weather than metro Denver? Better meaning milder winters. Looking at data it seems some come close?
Yeah much of Idaho has milder winters than Denver. I like Bonners Ferry due to low wind speeds and mildish temps....the big difference is Denver gets more sun in the winter and is windier than northern Idaho at least.
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