Intermountain Region Climate and Weather

Intermountain Region Climate and weather definition:

The Intermountain West, or Intermountain Region, is defined as being located between the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada on the west. However, depending on your source weather and climate information it might also be defined as the Mountain States Region. The Old Farmer’s Almanac defines it as Region 13 , the USDA reports the region as Northwest while the USDA Forest Service defines our location, Athol, Idaho, as Region 1.

Intermountain region weather and climate
USDA Zone map for the Intermountain Region or Northwest Region of the U.S.

We follow many sources when forecasting our own weather for on farm activities, from planting seeds, running heaters in the greenhouse, bringing in more plants,etc. We’ve found that through the years we hold more to a USDA Zone 4 climate because of the micro-climate in our area, it not unusual to see -25°F during the winter months with a little wind to make for a much colder day or night because of the wind chill factor.

Here’s a look at what we can expect for the 2013 growing season in the Idaho or Northern region.

May: Temperatures will be on average of 57°F which is about average for this time of year and the precipitation will be at about average also, 1″. If we look at the individual weeks here’s what we can expect, remember these are forecast which means they can change from day to day but at least you’ll know what to expect. May 1-3 sunny and warm, 4-12 showers then sunny and warm, 13-20 scattered showers and cool. 21-24 sunny and cool, 25-31 showers. If you’re familiar with this area you’ll already know that May 25-31, Memorial Weekend, we always experience showers of varying degree.

June:  We can expect above average temperatures for the month at about 65°F, about 2°F above normal for us in the North while the precipitation will be about .2″. Then as we look at the weeks of June we’ll see some showers and then sunny for the 1st-7th. 8-11 sunny and hot. 12-18 scattered thunderstorms and definitely warm while the 19th-30the it’ll be cool and then hot.

July: Above average temperatures, about 1°F, putting the average at 74°F and below precipitation for us in the North, .5″. July 1-4 sunny and hot. 5-7 isolated thunderstorms and cool. 13-22 it’ll be sunny but then turn hot. 23-31 thunderstorms then cool and sunny.

August: Wow, now we’ll move about 4°F below average putting our temp on average to 68°F and our precipitation will raise 1″ above average, guess we’ll be making up for July. 1-4 it’ll be sunny and warm and then moving to more thunderstorms for the 5th-16th can continue for the 17th-27th but we’ll cool down  little. then the rest of the month, 28th-31st will be sunny and warm.

Intermountain Region, Northwest Region USDA Zone Map.
Intermountain Region, Northwest Region USDA Zone Map for Idaho.

September: Our average temperature will be 60°F which is about 2°F below our average and the precipitation will also be below average .5″. Its a good thing that we aren’t hot and below average, it’ll keep the fire danger low but growing might slow too. So what does the month look like? 1-3 sunny and warm then scattered showers and cooling for the 4th – 14th but we’ll be sunny and nice the 15th – 25th while the 26th – 30th we’ll see scattered thunderstorms and cool.

October: This is the last of our growing season for most produce. Of course the garlic, potatoes, carrots, beets, kale, etc. will survive through the winter if covered or harvested through the first snow fall. Here’s what October weather looks like for the Intermountain Region.

We’ll stay below average for our Intermountain region putting the average at 50°F but our precipitation will raise 1″ above normal.  We’ll be rainy and cool for most of the month, 1-21, but the climate will turn sunny toward the end of the month and finish with scattered showers and cool the 22nd – 31st.

So, that wraps our Intermountain Region Climate and Weather for the year 2013. Hope you enjoyed the weather forecast and will use it when planning your gardening activities.

 

 

 

One Reply to “Intermountain Region Climate and Weather”

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