The NOAA has issued their latest winter outlook and it looks like Boise should brace itself for a whole lot of wet socks! 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States is in for it's second La Niña winter in a row. Typically, during La Niña years the Pacific Northwest sees colder temperatures and snowier conditions and the latest models indicate that it's likely to happen again.

How extreme will it be in Boise? Let's take a look at the maps!

Winter 2021 in Boise will Be Wet

NOAA/Climate.gov
NOAA/Climate.gov
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Both Ada and Canyon Country clearly fall into the band of green indicating the probability of a 33-40% wetter than normal winter. When making it's "winter" map, the NOAA is looking at conditions likely to play out from December 2021-February 2022. According to historical data from the National Weather Service, "normal" precipitation during Boise winters is 3.78". Last year, we say 3.41". During Snowmageddon (Winter 2016-2017) we saw 6.17".

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If you're looking at that number thinking "that looks awfully low for Snowmageddon," remember that number is talking about liquid precipitation. Since it was frozen, 39.1" of snow piled up in Boise that winter. Fun fact? 2016-2017 was also a weak La Niña year, like they're predicting this year.

But Will it Be Cold Enough in Boise for Another Snowmageddon?

NOAA/Climate.gov
NOAA/Climate.gov
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That's a good question! If you over lay a map of Idaho's counties on top of NOAA's temperature outlook, Ada County and most of Canyon County are in the band of white which means they've got an equal chance of colder or warmer than average temperatures. With the right amount of moisture, we get snow when the atmospheric temperature is at or below 32º.

Normal for Boise is right hovers right around freezing at 32.8º. Last year we were at warmer at 34.8º. The year of Snowmageddon? We were significantly colder than average at 27.5º.

The Bottom Line for Boise

NOAA/Climate.gov
NOAA/Climate.gov
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When it comes to Snowmageddon 2.0, it really depends on which way the temperatures actually play out. The good news is, whether the wet weather the NOAA is predicting comes in the form of rain or snow, it will help improve the drought that we've been experiencing.

15 Wacky Winter Weather Facts To Help You Survive the Season in Boise

For many of us Snowmageddon 2016-2017 is a not so distant memory. Some people really miss seeing that much white stuff in Boise. Others dread the possibility of it happening again. How common is it? We dug into some historical weather data from the National Weather Service to see just how extreme it was compared to some of the other winter extremes Boise's experienced.

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

15 Signs Boise Could Be in For a Harsh, Unforgiving Winter

According to the Farmer's Almanac, these are some mostly non-weather signs that Boise could be in for a harsh winter. Have you noticed any of them happening?

15 Best Places in the Treasure Valley to Cozy Up With a Bowl of Soup

Is it just us or does it seem like Boise's seasons go Spring, Summer, two weeks of Fall, and Winter? Temperatures are about to take a nose dive and you know what that means...soup season is upon us! For those evenings when you just don't have time to make dinner, where's the best place to pick up warm soup? These are 15 favorites, as voted by you!

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

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