Coeur d’Alene’s microclimates

I’ve recently received a few emails asking about the different types of climates and their effects here in North Idaho. Our region is well-known for its many lakes, mountains and valleys and has a variety of different “microclimates” within a relatively small area.

The official reporting station for the National Weather Service for Coeur d’Alene is the Pappy Boyington Field (airport) in Hayden. Based on the proximity to water like Lake Coeur d’Alene, Lake Fernan, Hayden Lake, Lake Pend Oreille and others, many of our observers have reported temperature and precipitation figures that have varied greatly from one place to another.

Microclimates are small areas where the local climate differs from the surrounding region. They often play an important role in shaping the local weather of Coeur d'Alene and surrounding regions. Although the Inland Northwest has a generally continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, small-scale environmental differences create noticeable variations in temperature, precipitation, and wind over short distances, even within a single town or neighborhood. These variations of the area’s climate are caused by factors such as landforms, water bodies, vegetation, and human activity.

One of the most significant influences on local microclimates is Lake Coeur d'Alene and other bodies of water. For example, during the summer months, residents near Lake Coeur d’Alene and other lakes often experience milder nights and cooler days due to the moderating effects from the huge bodies of water. Readings may differ as much as 3-5 degrees from inland locations. However, during the winter season, towns away from Lake Coeur d’Alene have been as much as 10-20 degrees colder during the nighttime hours.

Snowfall totals will vary significantly from downtown Coeur d’Alene to places like Rathdrum, Dalton Gardens, Hayden and others. There have been many instances with towns near the mountain locations receiving at least twice the amount of snow when compared to locations in the lower elevations. There have also been cases in past years where downtown Coeur d’Alene, Lake Fernan and other nearby locations will report only traces of snowfall, but just a few miles away, places around the Silver Lake Mall and nearby regions will pick up nearly 3-6 inches of snow with upwards of a foot of the white stuff in Athol, Twin Lakes and other towns closer to the mountains and farther away from the lake.

Topography has a big influence on microclimates in our area. For example, there is often a noticeable difference between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene precipitation. Spokane is located on the leeward side of the Cascade mountains which creates a rain shadow effect as moist air from the Pacific Ocean loses some of its moisture before reaching the city. By contrast, Coeur d’Alene is located closer to the rising terrain of the Rocky Mountains and the Idaho Panhandle. When moist air moves inland and is forced to rise over these mountains, it cools and condenses, producing more precipitation. This process, known as orographic lifting, leads to higher rainfall and snowfall totals in and around Coeur d’Alene when compared to Spokane.

In 2005, Coeur d’Alene Climatologist Cliff Harris identified at least 27 microclimates around North Idaho. Most of the climate differences around this part of the world are due to elevations of particular towns, their latitude and longitude and, of course, the proximity to large bodies of water.

The study of microclimates is important because they shape the conditions people, plants, and animals experience on a very local level. One of the key reasons is agriculture. Small differences in temperature, sunlight, and moisture can determine what crops will grow successfully. Farmers will often take advantage of warmer slopes, sheltered valleys, or areas near water to improve yields and protect crops from frost.

Microclimates are also important in urban planning as cities tend to be warmer than surrounding areas due to the urban heat island effect. They also affect ecosystems and biodiversity as certain plants and animals rely on very specific conditions to survive in the same general region.

In terms of our local weather, after a warm start early this week, temperatures are expected to cool into the 50s before climbing back into the 60s. High pressure across the western U.S. is also forecast to keep our region on the dry side, but as we get close to the normally wet new moon lunar cycle April 17, there is an increasing chance of showers across the region. The air masses may be cold enough to produce some snow in the higher mountains.

Occasional rain is expected from the middle of April to the middle of next month. Showers are also possible in early June around the full moon cycle. As I mentioned last week, the latest spring forecast from NOAA calls for a drier than normal weather pattern across the Inland Northwest. The upcoming summer season also looks to be drier than average as well with temperatures near seasonal averages. Stay tuned.

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Contact Randy Mann at [email protected].