Can You Survive the Boise Winter Weather?

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

What's your biggest concern about the Boise winter weather?

[@tuckertube254]

After moving here this summer we learned that subdivision neighborhoods don’t really get plowed or even treated prior to a known storm front moving in. Yes, the main road ways get plowed but public subdivision roads are honestly left untouched and develop ice quickly when it stays under 36.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Thank you for watching and commenting. That is true, the subdivisions don't get cleared unless the HOA covers that. I show that in the video and talk about it, but the good news is, we don't get snow too often that sticks around more than a few days. Be glad you weren't here in 2016! The subdivision roads had a layer of ice about 10 inches thick. There were ruts like wagon wheel ruts in the ice that you had to keep your car tires in, and if another car came from one direction in the ruts, then someone had to back up and stay in the tracks.

[@alisonpaulson5564]

If you buy a house on a corner do you need to do the side walk to the end of your backyard?

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

@@alisonpaulson5564 If you are responsible for mowing or maintaining the landscaping on that corner, then yes. I am honestly not sure what the rule is when the sidewalk is on HOA property...I think some HOA management companies take care of it, but in mine, they never do...

[@tuckertube254]

Update to my last comment, subdivisions are being plowed 2-3days after after a storm front. Learning that the state, cities, and counties have to focus/prioritize on clearing main roads first. Coming from New England I’m used to everyone at once but then again I think it’s the frequency and staffing that may be the factor. Thanks

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

@@tuckertube254 Thanks for the update! Yes I saw that they were going to start working inside the subdivisions. Because we don't get as much snow on a regular basis like New England, we just probably don't have as much equipment. Most winters, it melts quickly enough it's a non-issue. And in 2016, when it was so bad, they didn't clear the subdivisions, but I think they have gotten more equipment since then??? But we will see how sloppy it gets when it warms up later this week and rains. Snow is more fun than sloppy melting rainy snow, ha ha

[@cindymobley8926]

To those interested, I can give you our take on this video; from my husband (born here & raised), and from me, an Idahoan who worked at Bogus for 10 years as well.) The weather is different all across the valley; each storm & depends on if it's a La Nina year which will have more snow in the NW. Our roads are maintained most of the time, but not if the system is a heavy storm. We have single digits and negative numbers each year. We live in the valley, on the Snake River on the west side. In rough years, like 2016/17 not even our mail was delivered in our neighborhood for 6 weeks. Our Impreza was stuck in the garage, our Toyota Celica was buried, and our Suburban's transmission broke trying to drive down our driveway. The number 1 call to 911 was collapsed roofs. We had to shovel 20" of snow off our roof 3 times so our roof wouldn't collapse. The Snake River had what looked like glacier islands floating down it. The ground froze rock solid in 1 week so no bulbs could be planted. AWD vehicles are a must. The road to Bogus has cars, every year, drive off the side of the mountain (even those who work there). I asked my husband if he thought teenagers could drive front wheel drive cars and his reply was, "that's Bologna!"Just look at AccuWeather for this year, for example, and check 45 days out (as a forecast example only) and Sept 27th, 2024, is projected to be 34°. I have maintained temperature high and lows, and summary highlights, for years and i think this year newcomers may be in for a rude awakening. There are years you can't even find snow shovels to purchase, or even hire a snowplow if you wanted to, and cabin fever can happen, inversions happen most years where everything freezes below about 3000'. We have blizzards, harsh winds, and ice storms. Be prepared to have winter supplies, food and water, ana a way to keep your family warm when the power goes out. Most of the time it's manageable, but every year has it's storms and you just have to be ready.

[@pam7002]

Didn't mind the snow as much as the freezing fog. Totally gray and everything covered in ice for days or weeks at a time. Very still and very depressing.

[@pointreyes4272]

9° at 8AM heading for a high of 23° (that's above zero). Not bad at all compared to Northern Minnesota.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Absolutely - it's all about perspective. I've helped people move here from New York and Alaska so they could get to a more mild climate! We rarely have snow that puts the city to a stop, we have had freezing rain like once in the 22 years I've been here... we don't deal with anything like they do in the midwest or even Texas and their ice storms!

[@andor8635]

Thank you vary informative Summer Reno Nv has the same weather maybe not as cold but close Iv seen -4 but not to often.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Yes our climate is quite similar to Reno!

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

We get -35 in central Montana occasionally for a few days. -4 is almost tropical! 😅.

[@onelittlelamb4030]

It’s not that bad. I’ve been in the coldest parts of the U.S. including during the polar vortex in Michigan. You learn to adapt. It’s really not that bad in the winter so long as it is not windy and not every single day is a windy day. Best piece of advice I do to stay warm in the winter is I’ve got some longjohns that cost several hundred dollars and then there is an undershirt that works the same way that is actually more effective than wearing a heavy coat. Make sure that you keep your ears Warm with something extra and you can withstand just about every cold winter situation… I don’t usually need an exceptionally heavy coat but on the coldest days you do wear the heavy coat.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

You are correct! And Boise winter is nothing compared to many places in the US. You've got it right, invest in the best under layers, keep your ears, head, feet and hands warm, and you're set. And luckily, Boise doesn't get the wind in the winter that places like East Idaho, Twin Falls, Wyoming and Montana do! Brrrr!

[@CarnivoreguyScott]

Nicely done Summer 👍 these videos are very informative & helpful to this of us planning on relocating to the Treasure Valley. And Especially helpful to those moving from dry arid desert regions 😂 .

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Thank you and you are so welcome! Make sure you reach out when you're planning to move and we are happy to help :).

[@CarnivoreguyScott]

Absolutely! We are hoping for July -Aug or Sept. or as soon as our house sells 🤞 in Texas.​@@SummerAstonRealEstate

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

@@CarnivoreguyScott My sister lives East of Dallas and even though they don't deal with quite the same weather we do, we don't have those crazy Texas extremes! It was what, like 70 there last week and then today her hot tub is frozen and they have snow - and the ice storms from last winter was it? The houses weren't built for that cold there, so it was a disaster. Anyways, I would take Boise weather any day over their extremes and potential of ice storms and tornadoes!! Good luck with the sale!!

[@CarnivoreguyScott]

@@SummerAstonRealEstate exactly ! We are 30 minutes west of Fort Worth . We will list it in May . LOVE our house , just can’t take the weather or area . It’s too flat ! We need some mountains ,hills,lakes,rivers & a nice community with all the amenities .

[@audiophileman7047]

Thank you for putting out this video, Summer. It's so timely. I've been following the weather forecasts for Meridian and noticed some unusual snow was forecasted. I watched your video with keen interest. When you were walking your dog, you didn't appear to be bundled up as I expected. Do you wear "long john's" under your clothes for warmth? What kind of clothes that you wouldn't wear in California do you wear to keep warm when you're outside? What kind of heat is used to heat homes and are the utilities reliable? Do people in the TV burn a lot of wood to keep warm and does the smoke create unusual air pollution? 🤔

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Great questions and I was contemplating making a video this winter about what to wear because it took me a good few years to figure it out, and the right gear makes all the difference. But maybe I should make a video about that! So when it gets below about 25, I wear thin fleece lined running tights under those thicker fleece lined leggings. I wear just a long sleeved shirt, sweater, and then insulated coat. Key for me is having a hat that is fully fleece lined, thicker gloves, and the fleece gator on my face only when it gets like below 20 usually. And then thicker wool socks and insulated, waterpoof, lined shoes that have a thick enough rubber sole. Now my husband is warm blooded and he can just wear fleece lined running type joggers, a flannel, coat, one layer hat, thinner gloves, regular socks and regular tennis shoes if no snow and just cold or he does have some boots for the snow/shoveling. 90% of homes have gas heating, it is very reliable, we rarely have power outages. People do not burn a lot of wood as most homes have gas insert fireplaces. So not really enough smoke to make a difference in the air quality.

[@audiophileman7047]

Thank you for this helpful information, and I really do hope you make a video on it to show us the clothing you mentioned! 👍👍👍@@SummerAstonRealEstate

[@RedRonFJB]

I moved to Boise area (Eagle which is just west of Boise)Sept 22 and I love it but I grew up in NY and NJ where we had cold, windy, snowy winters. I love the snow too so I have no complaints.I have experienced much colder winters in NJ then I have here in Eagle Idaho.... It's very dry here so 50 degrees feels warm where 50 degrees would feel very cold in a damp climate.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Thanks for your comment - perspective is everything! I feel like the cold, foggy, damp days in places like San Francisco are "colder" than some of our coldest days here!

[@dougd1617]

Hey RedRonFJB ... I grew up in NYC too, and currently planning to move to Eagle from Seattle in the next 2 months. Based on your name :) I assume you moved there for the same reason I am moving there, and was wondering if you like it there? Any info appreciated.

[@RedRonFJB]

@@dougd1617 nice to meet you....I love Eagle. I think it's the best area. My only regret is not doing it Sooner. We should exchange info. It's a good time to buy as prices have dropped.

[@Sandra-cm1du]

What if you are a senior citizen and do not want to shovel. Does Boise, Eagle, other areas have snow removal businesses you can hire?

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Yes, all the areas have professional companies you can hire - most companies that offer lawn services for the summer also offer shoveling services in the winter, and you may also be able to hire a neighborhood teenager to do it as well. But that is a good point, one I should have covered in my video! So thank you for asking!

[@GeorgeSki66]

HI U said that get a push snow shovel that means u don't get a lot odf snow it is all good

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Correct. We really don't get a lot of snow. I wish we got more :).

[@GeorgeSki66]

I like 11 inches of snow

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

Well, I survived rwo Clancy, Montana winters and only froze to death once!😅 I loved the place! I wish to God I had never left, and I'm originally from Florida!

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

That's awesome. See, even sun lovers can get used to the cold, especially when the rest of the quality of life is so much better than where they come from. And almost freezing to death builds character, right? lol

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

@@SummerAstonRealEstate So I've been told! 🤣 I loved it out there in the hills South of Helena! Great neighbors and good food! And 20 below for a week ain't a big deal if you have the right boots!

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

@@JohnMoore-xf5wy yes, the right boots make ALLLLL the difference! Took me a few years of frozen block toes to figure that out ha ha People need to just spend the money and buy the GOOD boots and then they will be okay in the cold.

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

@@SummerAstonRealEstate Years ago there was a company called Northern Outfitters. Don't know if they're still around. They made a boot for Arctic explorers that was good to minus 60 F. If you broke through the ice and the boot filled with water you could pour the water out and put the boot back on and your feet would be fine! Wore them without socks! They were pricy, around $800.00, but they were worth it. They were discontinued for some reason.

[@georgecuster527]

Best video ever .

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Wow, I am not sure about that 🙃 but appreciate the comment!

[@stevenromo9042]

Are the homes built to withstand the freezing weather, especially concerned about pipes.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Yes they are built for freezing weather. It is standard here to make sure that we have our sprinkler systems "blown out" in the fall to prevent water from sitting in the lines. But our homes and building codes are made for very cold weather.

[@user-cvbnm]

I heard lots of people are moving to Idaho, but how is anyone going to survive winter there?

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Heated homes and heated cars work pretty well for winter survival, I hear.

[@user-cvbnm]

I am from Chicago, and i’d probably freeze to death in Idaho, I really dont like winter 😂

[@JFlower7]

Stay out of Boise, please. This person just wants to sell a house. She needs to go away.

[@SR-se3qw]

How could anybody survive in that frozen wasteland?

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

Well we do have nice warm houses, that's pretty helpful for survival. 😉

[@RedRonFJB]

It's not a frozen wasteland. It's very beautiful here even when it does snow. We have a full 4 distinct seasons and each one is beautiful. We get a lot of sun even in the winter. I have lived in NY, NJ, Montana and California.....and I love it here.

[@SummerAstonRealEstate]

@@RedRonFJB Absolutely - thank you for your comment and perspective. When the sun is out here in the winter it is wonderful- clear blue skies. I love the 4 season here and I actually wish it would snow more. I find our typical predictions of snow from the weather people to be quite disappointing when it ends up being like 1/2 inch that melts.