Salmon River, ID

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The Salmon River is the largest tributary of the Snake River. Salmon River in Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
The Salmon River is the largest tributary of the Snake River. Salmon River in Sawtooth National Recreation Area.. Image by Fredlyfish4 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
°F
High: 69° | Low: 44°
Current Temperature
Station: SCFI1
Observed at: 8:10 am CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 1 mph | Humidity: %
Today:Partly sunny. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tonight:Rain after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southwest wind 1 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday:Rain before 9am. Partly sunny. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
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Today’s Report:

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 57°F. Rain forecast later today (70%). Light wind (8 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (57°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 4/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 57°F. High rain probability (94%). Light wind (8 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (57°F).

⛺ Camping

Use Caution
  46 /100

Use Caution for camping. High near 57°F. Rain forecast later today (70%). Light wind (8 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 20/100
Not Recommended for camping. High near 57°F. High rain probability (94%). Light wind (8 mph). Cool overnight low (40°F).

🥾 Hiking

Use Caution
  46 /100

Use Caution for hiking. High near 57°F. Rain forecast later today (70%). Light wind (8 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 20/100
Not Recommended for hiking. High near 57°F. High rain probability (94%). Light wind (8 mph).

About Salmon River

Salmon River is an Idaho destination for a major whitewater, fishing, camping, and canyon travel corridor.

Make the Most of a 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 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:

  • Riggins
  • White Bird
  • Lucile
  • Vinegar Creek
  • Salmon-Challis National Forest

Plan Around the Conditions

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

7-Day Forecast for Salmon River

🌤
°F
High: 69° | Low: 44°
Current Temperature
Station: SCFI1
Observed at: 8:10 am CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 1 mph | Humidity: %
Fri ⛅
69° 44°
2%
Sat 🌧
57° 40°
94%
Sun 🌧
60° 42°
25%
Mon 🌧
53° 36°
84%
Tue ❄
49° 34°
32%
Wed ❄
51° 35°
57%
Thu ❄
48° 33°
51%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

69° Fri 57° Sat 60° Sun 53° Mon 49° Tue 51° Wed 48° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

44° Fri 40° Sat 42° Sun 36° Mon 34° Tue 35° Wed 33° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 100 Fri 93 Sat 100 Sun 78 Mon 19 Tue 69 Wed 19 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 13, 2026 9:28 pm CST

Salmon River Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at 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.