Portland, OR
Oregon · Willamette Valley
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Oregon vs Idaho · deep dive
Weather & Seasons: Oregon vs Idaho.
This is the most visceral difference between the two markets, and it is a preference question, not a question with a right answer. Western Oregon is maritime: mild, rain-heavy winters and temperate, dry summers. The Treasure Valley is high desert: hot, dry summers, colder sunnier winters, and real snow. The numbers below come from NOAA climate normals and National Weather Service summaries.
Live right now
Two cities, one snapshot.
Current conditions and a short local forecast for Portland and Boise, loaded live in your browser from Open-Meteo's free weather service and refreshed automatically every hour. The National Weather Service link under each card is the official forecast for that city.
Boise, ID
Idaho · Treasure Valley
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Live data is fetched in your browser from the Open-Meteo API and refreshes automatically every hour. Conditions update faster than the long-term climate averages below; the NWS forecast link is the official source for each city.
As of November 1, 2026 · NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
Figures are long-term averages from NOAA and the National Weather Service for the Portland international airport and the Boise airport stations. Individual years vary widely in both places, and short term forecasts change every week.
The climate at a glance
Two very different skies.
| Measure | Portland, Oregon | Boise, Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | About 36 to 37 inches (NOAA climate normals, Portland airport) | About 11.5 to 12 inches |
| Winter temperatures | Mild and wet; average winter mean near 42 degrees F | Colder and sunnier; January mean near 31 degrees F with highs near 38 |
| Summer temperatures | Warm and dry; July and August highs near 80 to 82 degrees F | Hot and dry; July average highs near 93 degrees F |
| Annual snowfall | About 4 inches in a normal year | About 19 inches, roughly five times Portland |
| Sunny days | About 144 sunny days per year (derived from NWS observing data) | About 206 sunny days per year |
Sunny-day counts are a derived metric from National Weather Service observing data, not an official NOAA statistic. Numbers are rounded for readability.
Portland: mild, wet, green
Portland winters are grey and drizzly more than they are cold: average winter temperatures near the low 40s, with snow rare, about 4 inches in a normal year. Summers are the reward, warm and dry with highs mostly in the 70s and 80s, and green landscapes persist through the year thanks to the rain. Fireplace weather runs long, but the garden runs longer.
Boise: four seasons, dry air, real snow
Boise winters are cold and sunny, with January means near freezing and about 19 inches of snow in a normal year, snow that often melts within days between storms. Summers are hot and dry, with July highs averaging near 93 degrees and low humidity that makes the heat more comfortable than the number suggests. You get four distinct seasons, and the valley's sun count is among the best in the region.
Good to know
Both regions can see late-summer wildfire smoke at times, and both have heat waves in summer. None of this is a reason to avoid either market; it is a reason to plan homes with good insulation, cooling, and air quality in mind.
For movers
If you are selling a Portland home to move to Idaho, late spring through early fall is the most forgiving window to get used to the heat and the irrigation rhythm. Moving the other way, the autumn rainy season is the moment to confirm gutters, drainage, and roof condition on your new Oregon home.
For buyers
Ask about heating source and cost in Boise and Portland alike, and check for air conditioning where summers are hot. In Idaho, drip and irrigation systems matter for yards; in Oregon, drainage and daylight matter for comfort. Paul flags these on tours in both states.
Official sources
Where the numbers come from.
Every figure on this page traces to NOAA and the National Weather Service. The links below point to the official climate references for both cities.
Keep comparing
The rest of the Oregon vs Idaho deep dives.
Weather is one factor. The house is the other.
Paul has toured hundreds of homes in both climates and knows what to check for each. Book a conversation and bring your list of must-haves for either market.