Middle Fork Salmon River, ID

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Middle Fork Salmon River, Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho, United States
Middle Fork Salmon River, Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho, United States. Image by Rex Parker via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Today’s Forecast:

☀
55°F
High: 55° | Low: 33°
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KMYL
Observed at: 3:15 pm CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 0 mph | Humidity: 30%
This Afternoon:Mostly cloudy. High near 51, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. South wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tonight:Widespread rain showers between 11pm and 4am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday:A chance of snow showers before 11am. Partly sunny. High near 40, with temperatures falling to around 36 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Today’s Report:

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  20 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 40°F. Risk of rain later today (25%). Light wind (9 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (40°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 23/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 46°F. Temperatures outside comfort limits (46°F).

⛺ Camping

Good
  70 /100

Good for camping. High near 40°F. Low rain risk (25%). Light wind (9 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 85/100
Ideal conditions for camping. Comfortable temperature (high near 46°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

🥾 Hiking

Good
  70 /100

Good for hiking. High near 40°F. Low rain risk (25%). Light wind (9 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 80/100
Ideal conditions for hiking. Comfortable temperature (high near 46°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

About Middle Fork Salmon River

Middle Fork Salmon River is an Idaho destination for a nationally known permit river through remote wilderness.

Make the Most of a Middle Fork Salmon River 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 Middle Fork Salmon River

  • Check official access notices, alerts, road or trail conditions, fire restrictions, and local forecasts before leaving.
  • Check river flow, reservoir wind, cold-water conditions, waves, lightning, and verified local ice reports before water plans; no forecast alone proves that ice is safe.
  • 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:

  • Boundary Creek
  • Indian Creek
  • Big Creek
  • Impassable Canyon
  • Cache Bar

Plan Around the Conditions

Choose the safest version of a Middle Fork Salmon River day by matching the activity to current wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water or snow conditions, access, and daylight.

7-Day Forecast for Middle Fork Salmon River

☀
55°F
High: 55° | Low: 33°
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KMYL
Observed at: 3:15 pm CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 0 mph | Humidity: 30%
Fri ☁
51° 33°
1%
Sat ❄
40° 30°
30%
Sun ⛅
47° 32°
3%
Mon ❄
42° 30°
62%
Tue ❄
35° 22°
67%
Wed ❄
35° 23°
55%
Thu ❄
33° 20°
41%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

51° Fri 40° Sat 47° Sun 42° Mon 35° Tue 35° Wed 33° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

33° Fri 30° Sat 32° Sun 30° Mon 22° Tue 23° Wed 20° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 75 Fri 19 Sat 20 Sun 19 Mon 19 Tue 19 Wed 19 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 13, 2026 9:29 pm CST

Middle Fork Salmon River Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Middle Fork Salmon River can bring snow, ice, wind, short daylight, and rapidly changing road or trail access.

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 46–52°F, using the relevant local and elevation context.
  • Annual snowfall: commonly 15–45 inches at river level and far more in surrounding mountains.
  • 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.