English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Boise City, ID

Sunny skies, gentle breezes and chirping birds are calling your name this week, Boise residents.

With high temperatures approaching record-breaking numbers, it’s time to come out of hibernation and bask in the sunshine.

Here are some ways to beat the heat and enjoy the warmer weather:

What are best things to do outdoors in Boise during heat wave?

One of the most accessible and cheapest ways to enjoy the March heat wave is taking a stroll along the Greenbelt.

This paved walking path runs along the Boise River, has several access points throughout the city and is completely free to explore.

The Greenbelt is 29 miles long and decorated with 12 public parks named after “remarkable women” from the city’s history, according to the Boise Parks and Recreation Department. This network of parks is also known as the Ribbon of Jewels.

Bring an activity and some snacks to make your Greenbelt outing an all-day getaway.

If you’re looking for a more active way to enjoy the scenery, take your bike or rent one for $25 from Greenbelt Bike Rental, right off of the river path at 504 East 45th St., Unit 21, in Boise.

Another good way to enjoy “one of the finest urban trout rivers in the country” is to cast a line into the Boise River and see if you can get a nibble, according to Idaho Fish and Game.

What are risks of Idaho rivers, lakes in the spring?

As daytime temperatures soar, you might be tempted to take a dip in the Boise River and other waterways.

Be careful, experts say.

“Even if it feels warm outside, rivers, lakes and streams can still be cold and running fast” due to melting mountain snow, the National Weather Service said in a Tuesday, March 17 post on X. “Always wear your life vest and consider cold water protection gear. ... Cold water can kill.”

Boise and other Idaho cities rely heavily on snowpack melt to supply water to rivers and streams during the warmer months of the year, so river water stays cold the weather service said.

“The average water temperature of Idaho’s water is 52 degrees, even during the summer,” the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation said on its website.

Swimming in cold and quick-moving water can lead to cold shock, hypothermia, immersion failure and eventually drowning, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.

Looking for an animal adventure?

From big cats to prairie dogs and birds of prey, you can see lots of wildlife during a ZooBoise visit at 355 Julia Davis Drive in Boise.

If you stop in to meet the animals, remember not to tap on the glass of their enclosures or throw food in them to ensure the animals’ health and comfort in their homes, ZooBoise said on its website.

ZooBoise visitors can get a closer look at some animals Thursday through Sunday.

You can feed goats for $3 per person from 1:30 to 2 p.m. on those days, or feed a sloth bear through a tube from 2:30 to 3 p.m, according to the zoo website.

Where are the best Boise restaurants for eating outside?

If you’re not the picnicking type, Boise is packed with restaurants with outdoor dining options.

These eateries made Yelp’s list of the top 10 spots for patio dining near Boise:

A West Coast heat wave is pushing into Idaho, bringing unseasonably warm weather.

A strong high-pressure system “building inland will result in record-high temperatures” starting Tuesday, March 17, the National Weather Service said in its most recent Idaho state forecast discussion.

Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, March 20, could be among the warmest days ever recorded so early in the year,” the weather service said.

Here’s what to know about the forecast for the week ahead:

How hot will it get in Idaho?

The heat wave is expected to last for most of the week before temperatures cool off on Sunday, according to the weather service.

According to the National Weather Service, six Idaho cities are expected to set new maximum temperature records this week, including Boise.

Baker City, Burns, Jerome, McCall and Ontario could also see record-breaking heat.

Warm weather is hitting during a crucial time for the Gem State’s snowpack.

“The warm weather will accelerate snowmelt at mid-to-high elevations and lead to increased flows in small streams and creeks in central and eastern Idaho,” the weather service said.

However, Idaho is not at risk to severe flooding, forecasters said.

When will Bogus Basin close for ski season?

Bogus Basin will close for the winter ski season on Sunday, March 22, weeks earlier than usual, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

“Operations could extend if conditions allow,” the ski resort said in a Friday, March 13, news release.

What’s in the forecast for Boise?

According to the National Weather Service’s most recent seven-day forecast for Boise, the City of Trees will see hot, sunny weather for most of the week.

On Tuesday, Boise was expected to have a high temperature about 72 degrees and an overnight low temperature of 47 degrees.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be the hottest days of the week, with high temperatures hovering in the low 80s.

Overnight lows will range between the high 40s and the low 50s on these days, the weather service said.

Only partial relief is expected on Saturday as the high makes a 10-degree drop to 72. The overnight low will be 41.

The next cooling trend will arrive on Sunday, as the high drops another 10 degrees to 62.

Sunday will have an overnight low of 41 degrees.

What are flood risks in Idaho?

Predictions for melting mountain snow coincide with Idaho Flood Awareness Week, which started March 15 and runs through Sunday, March 22.

“As spring snowmelt and seasonal rain increase the risk of flooding, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management is raising awareness about the potential dangers flooding poses,” the state office said on its website.

Emergency management will host an educational webinar on Wednesday afternoon, March 19 at 1 p.m.

“This webinar provided insights on how to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of spring flooding in Idaho,” the Idaho Office of Emergency Management said.

In addition, the National Weather Service offices across Idaho will share information on flood preparedness daily on social media.

The National Weather Service shared tips to “prepare for flooding before it happens” in a X post on Monday, March 16.

They include:

Spring break is here, and many Treasure Valley residents are headed out of town for vacation.

Nearly 165,000 passengers expected to pass through Boise Airport from March 12 through Sunday, March 22, according to an airport news release.

However, those travelers could face longer lines and wait times due to a partial federal government shutdown that’s impacting the Transportation Security Administration.

Here’s what to know about flying out of Boise for spring break:

Do I need to arrive early at the Boise airport?

Officials recommend arriving at the Boise airport an hour and a half to two hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.

“Spring break travel is expected to be especially busy this year, as local school districts and Boise State University are observing the same break schedule,” the airport said in the March 12 news release. “Arriving early will allow ample time to check in with your airline and clear the security checkpoint before your flight.”

Spring vacation started Monday, March 16, for Boise State and public elementary, middle and high schools in the Boise area.

Students will be out of class through Friday, March 20.

Where can I park at the Boise aiport?

Boise Airport offers curbside valet, a shuttle service and a reservation system for parking.

Check the airport’s website in advance to see parking spot availability.

How has federal shutdown impacted TSA?

Airports throughout the nation have reported absences by TSA officers as a result of the shutdown, CNN reported, while hundreds have quit.

TSA employees have been working without pay since funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security lapsed in mid-February, NPR reported. Many recently missed their first full paycheck.

“The longer the shutdown lasts, the more severe the impact will be on the transportation security officers and other front-line workers who will have to keep coming to work,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a Feb. 17 news release. “This could lead to increased wait times at airports across the country.”

To help those workers, donation bins have been set up at “all airport entrances, upstairs and downstairs,” according to Jennifer Kronberb, Boise Airport communications and marketing manager.

“(We) would truly appreciate donations of non-perishable food, household items, baby care, pet food and personal hygiene items,” Kronberb told the Idaho Statesman.

TSA officers are not allowed to accept Visa gift cards because they are federal employees, Boise Airport representatives wrote in response to a comment on a March 12 Facebook post.

Instead, the Boise airport recommends donating gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations or local businesses.

How can I avoid delays at security checkpoint?

To avoid delays and make security screeners’ lives easier, make sure your luggage and carry-on items follow security guidelines before you leave the house.

According to TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle, it’s best to “unpack before you pack” by emptying your bags completely before filling them with travel necessities.

If you’re unsure what’s approved and unapproved for flights check the “What Can I Bring” tool that’s available on TSA.gov and the free MyTSA app.

You can also text “Travel” to AskTSA (275872) or message @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger.

“Do not attempt to bring a firearm through a TSA checkpoint,” the Boise Airport said. “Other prohibited items include explosives, flammables, knives, razors, replica weapons and more.”

Where can I fly from Boise?

In 2026, the most popular spring destinations for Boise Airport travelers include Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver and Portland, Oregon, according to Kronberg.

As of Monday, here’s how much tickets for dirst round-trip flights to those cities cost, according to Google Flights:

Boise, capital and largest city of Idaho, U.S., and the seat (1864) of Ada county. It lies along the Boise River in the southwestern part of the state. Because mountains to the north protect it from Canadian blizzards, Boise has relatively mild winters, as well as hot, dry summers.

Boise was named by early 19th-century French Canadian trappers for the tree-lined river (French boisé, “wooded”) that provided relief for travelers crossing the desolate Snake River plain. Following the 1862 gold rush to the Boise River basin, Fort Boise was established (July 4, 1863), and a community developed to provide services for the nearby mines. Its location at the crossroads of the Oregon Trail and the routes to the Boise Basin and Owyhee mines ensured Boise’s early growth, and it became the capital of Idaho in 1864. After 1902 the Boise Irrigation Project built nearby Arrowrock Dam and several other dams on the Boise River to provide the region with water storage and recreational facilities. Agricultural expansion and the growth of a commercial lumber industry contributed to Boise’s rapid growth in the early 20th century. One of the world’s largest construction companies also grew up there.

The city’s diversified industries now include agriculture (fruit, sugar beets, and livestock), lumbering, electronics, and wholesale trade and trucking. Growth in the high-tech industries around Boise accounted for much of the city’s increase in population during the 1990s. Federal and state government agencies also provide much local employment. Boise’s numerous city parks contain specimens of trees from all over the world, many planted by U.S. presidents and visiting dignitaries. Buildings of historical interest include the Assay Office (1871), Old Idaho Penitentiary (built c. 1870, closed 1973), and the Idaho Historical Museum (1907). The city is the headquarters of Boise National Forest, which is dotted with abandoned mines and ghost towns. Boise State University was founded in 1932 as a junior college. Inc. 1864. Pop. (2010) 206,100; Boise City–Nampa Metro Area, 616,561; (2020) 235,684; Boise City Metro Area, 764,718.