Garden Valley has chilly, snowy winters and warm summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 91°, a January night drops to 18°, and about 69 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Garden Valley at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Garden Valley’s climate
Read from where Garden Valley sits among Idaho’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Living with Garden Valley’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
102 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Jun 1 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 10.
About 69" a winter over 22 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 94 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 46 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 91°.
The nicest months are June and September. 17 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →About 102 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by June 1 and the first by September 10.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Garden Valley feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
69 inches of snow, 22 of rain and melt
December is the wettest month and August the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 98 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Garden Valley averaged 1.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.8°).
A bigger shift than in 50% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Garden Valley compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Idaho.
Garden Valley weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 18° | 3.3" | 22.8" | 12 | 30 | 18° – 33° |
| February | 42° | 21° | 2.4" | 10.2" | 11 | 24 | 26° – 38° |
| March | 53° | 28° | 2.4" | 3.5" | 11 | 13 | 36° – 47° |
| April | 61° | 33° | 1.9" | 0.4" | 10 | 0 | 41° – 52° |
| May | 71° | 39° | 1.7" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 49° – 62° |
| June | 79° | 45° | 1.2" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 58° – 69° |
| July | 91° | 51° | 0.4" | 0 | 3 | 0 | 60° – 77° |
| August | 89° | 49° | 0.3" | 0 | 2 | 0 | 63° – 72° |
| September | 79° | 41° | 0.8" | 0 | 4 | 0 | 56° – 65° |
| October | 64° | 32° | 1.5" | 0.3" | 7 | 0 | 40° – 54° |
| November | 46° | 25° | 2.7" | 8.0" | 11 | 4 | 29° – 42° |
| December | 35° | 19° | 3.8" | 24.2" | 13 | 23 | 20° – 32° |
| Year | 62° | 33° | 22.4" | 69.4" | 98 | 94 |
Heating and cooling a home in Garden Valley
96% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. July swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 60° to 77°. September is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Garden Valley’s climate
What is the coldest month in Garden Valley?
January, with a typical high of 35° and a low of 18°.
What is the hottest month in Garden Valley?
July, with a typical high of 91° and a low of 51°. About 46 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Garden Valley get?
About 69 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Garden Valley?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 10, and the last spring frost by June 1.
What is the rainiest month in Garden Valley?
December, with 3.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 22 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Garden Valley.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Garden Valley itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Garden Valley, ID (1 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.