Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

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River Rocks in Boise National Forest, Idaho
River Rocks in Boise National Forest, Idaho - Casey Marshall from Santa Cruz, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
93°F
Current Temperature
Station: TCFI1
Observed at: 4:19 pm
Wind: 3 mph | Humidity: 15%
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 27 at 12:38PM MDT by NWS Boise ID (Expires: July 29, 2026 2:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Very Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 3 PM MDT FRIDAY. * IMPACTS...Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Instructions: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is prohibited by air quality rule. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. THIS STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY GROUP FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEQ's Boise Regional Office at (208) 373-0550
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 27 at 10:32AM MDT by NWS Boise ID (Expires: July 29, 2026 2:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 2 PM MDT TUESDAY. * IMPACTS...Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Instructions: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is prohibited by air quality rule. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. THIS STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY GROUP FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEQ's Boise Regional Office at (208) 373-0550
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 27 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Boise ID (Expires: July 29, 2026 2:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 2 PM MDT TUESDAY. * IMPACTS...Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Instructions: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is prohibited by air quality rule. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. THIS STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY GROUP FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEQ's Boise Regional Office at (208) 373-0550
This Afternoon:Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 8 mph.
Tonight:Areas of smoke. Clear, with a low around 51. North wind 2 to 9 mph.
Tuesday:Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 0 to 8 mph.

Today’s Report:

🚲 Biking

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for biking. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for biking. High near 93°F. Light wind (8 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

🥾 Hiking

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for hiking. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for hiking. High near 93°F. Light wind (8 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for outdoor events / activities. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for outdoor events / activities. High near 93°F. Light wind (8 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

❄️ Snowmobiling

Not Recommended
  5 /100

Not Recommended for snowmobiling. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Extreme heat (high near 93°F). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Heat: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 5/100
Not Recommended for snowmobiling. High near 93°F. Light wind (8 mph). Extreme heat (high near 93°F). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

About Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is an Idaho destination for a historic mountain town, scenic byway, and established Park N’ Ski corridor.

Make the Most of an Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway Day

Match the route, launch, facility, or turnaround time to wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water, snow, road access, and daylight. Keep a shorter or more sheltered backup ready.

Weather Tips for Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

  • Check official access notices, alerts, road or trail conditions, fire restrictions, and local forecasts before leaving.
  • Turn around before exposed ridges, canyon rims, dunes, or open ground become unsafe in lightning, heat, smoke, wind, or poor visibility.
  • Carry layers, water, navigation, sun protection, and seasonal traction or flotation appropriate to the activity.
  • Allow extra time for remote roads, mountain passes, wildfire smoke, spring runoff, and limited winter daylight.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Mores Creek Summit
  • Lowman
  • Boise National Forest
  • Banner Ridge
  • Robie Creek

Plan Around the Conditions

Choose the safest version of an Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway day by matching the activity to current wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water or snow conditions, access, and daylight.

7-Day Forecast for Idaho City, ID

🌤
93°F
Current Temperature
Station: TCFI1
Observed at: 4:19 pm
Wind: 3 mph | Humidity: 15%
Mon 🌫
94° 51°
0%
Tue 🌫
94° 52°
0%
Wed 🌫
93° 53°
1%
Thu 🌫
95° 56°
0%
Fri ☀
98° 57°
0%
Sat ☀
100° 55°
0%
Sun ☀
91° 49°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

94° Mon 94° Tue 93° Wed 95° Thu 98° Fri 100° Sat 91° Sun

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

51° Mon 52° Tue 53° Wed 56° Thu 57° Fri 55° Sat 49° Sun

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 12 Mon 12 Tue 12 Wed 12 Thu 12 Fri 12 Sat 20 Sun
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: July 27, 2026 5:57 pm CDT

Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Idaho City & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway can bring snow, ice, wind, short daylight, and rapidly changing road or trail access. Confirm grooming, avalanche information, ice conditions, and facility operations for the listed winter activities.

Spring

Spring brings freeze-thaw mud, snowmelt, high rivers, cold water, and lingering mountain snow. Lower routes usually open well before high passes and backcountry trailheads.

Summer

Summer usually offers the broadest access, but dry heat, thunderstorms, lightning, wildfire smoke, fire restrictions, reservoir wind, and cold mountain water can alter plans.

Fall

Fall brings cooler air, shorter daylight, hunting-season awareness, and early snow at elevation. Confirm seasonal services and allow extra travel time on remote roads.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: around 39–46°F, using the relevant local and elevation context.
  • Annual snowfall: commonly 50–110 inches, increasing sharply with elevation.
  • Warmest months: July and August are normally warmest.
  • Coolest months: December and January are typically coolest.
  • Wettest season: winter and spring usually provide the greatest mountain precipitation, with local variation.
  • Driest season: midsummer is generally driest, despite isolated thunderstorms.
  • Best outdoor window: June through October for warm-season access, with midwinter best at established winter destinations.