Weather can significantly impact our campus community and in extreme cases can:
Disrupt classes and campus events, leading to cancellations or delays.
Pose risks to individuals, such as slips and falls on icy sidewalks or heat-related illnesses during extreme heat.
Affect residential life, including power outages, water shortages, and damage to campus housing.
Impact transportation options, such as bus routes, shuttle services, and driving conditions.
To mitigate the effects of weather on our campus community, Boise State works with internal and external partners on emergency preparedness planning. The university connects to national and local weather monitoring systems, exercises campus notification protocols, and activates campus emergency response teams.
If weather-related issues or concerns significantly affect campus activities or schedules, Boise State will notify the campus community promptly through event organizers, BroncoAlert, or other communication channels. Below, you’ll find key details and resources to help campus members make informed decisions about health and safety.
Weather in our Community
Air Quality Concerns
General Information
Air quality refers to the condition of the air in terms of pollution levels. Common pollutants include particulate matter (also called particle pollution, a term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air), ozone, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Poor air quality can be harmful, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Boise State is committed to maintaining healthy indoor air, especially when outdoor air quality is affected by wildfire smoke or other pollutants.
To help limit exposure to airborne particles, most campus buildings are equipped with upgraded HVAC systems that use MERV 13 filters, which are highly effective at capturing fine particulates. However, some older systems are not compatible with MERV 13 filters, as they can reduce airflow and potentially damage key components like compressors and heat exchangers. In those cases, we continue to use the highest filtration level that meets code and supports system performance.
Even with high-efficiency filters, smoke particles—due to their small size—can still enter buildings, especially through open doors and windows. As a result, the smell of smoke may still be noticeable indoors during poor outdoor air quality days.
We regularly assess and upgrade our HVAC systems where possible. Our goal is to optimize indoor air quality while maintaining reliable heating and cooling across campus.
National Associated Guidance
Air Quality Index (AQI): The CDC’s Air Quality section provides health-related information on air pollution, its effects on public health, and guidelines for minimizing health risks during poor air quality events.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA provides guidelines and tools such as the Air Quality Index (AQI), which rates air quality from good to hazardous. Alerts are issued when pollutant levels become harmful.
Steps to Minimize Exposures to Poor Air Quality
Limit Outdoor Activities: Reduce strenuous outdoor activities when AQI levels are high (unhealthy or hazardous)
Use Air Purifiers: Use air purifiers indoors to reduce pollution
Wear Masks: Use N95 or similar masks during high particulate pollution (e.g., wildfires)
Stay Indoors: Keep windows and doors closed when air quality is poor
Check current readings, including from Boise State’s air quality sensors located at Albertsons Stadium and Dona Larsen Park, through the PurpleAir map.
Monitor local air quality via TV weather forecasts, weather apps, or by visiting the National Weather Service (NWS) website.
Resources/Links
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA website provides helpful information on environmental regulations, research, and data, along with resources for individuals, businesses, and communities on news, educational tools, and updates on environmental protection efforts.
Extreme Heat
General Information
Extreme heat occurs when temperatures are significantly higher than average, often exacerbated by humidity. It can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. Vulnerable populations include infants, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Meteorological agencies issue heat advisories to warn the public of potentially dangerous conditions, that are crucial for preventing heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Advisories are classified into the following categories based on severity and potential impact on health and safety:
Excessive Heat Watch: Potential for extreme heat within 24 to 72 hours.
Heat Advisory: Heat conditions expected within 12 hours, often with high humidity.
Excessive Heat Warning: Dangerously high temperatures are imminent (within 12 hours of forecasted onset) or occurring, usually when the heat index (a measure combining temperature and humidity) is forecast to reach dangerous levels (e.g., 105°F or higher for two or more consecutive days).
Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day: Internal car temperatures can rise significantly above external temperatures within a short amount of time.
On an 85°F (29°C) day, the internal temperature can climb to around 104°F (40°C) in just 10 minutes, and up to 120°F (49°C) within 30 minutes.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Limit Sun Exposure: Avoid high-energy activities during midday heat; seek shade, take breaks, wear hats to protect your face, and always apply and re-apply sunscreen.
Seek Air-Conditioned Areas: Visit malls, libraries, or cooling centers if your home is not air-conditioned. On campus, the Boise State Library and the Student Union Building (SUB) offer cool spaces (also great for doing schoolwork while staying out of the heat!).
The City of Boise and surrounding communities offer several places that are regularly used as cooling spaces in cases of extreme heat, often communicated via local news outlets, including on Boise State University Public Radio.
Wear Lightweight Clothing: Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing helps regulate body temperature.
Take Cool Showers: Cool showers or baths help reduce body temperature.
Consider food choices that don’t involve using the oven.
Pet Safety: Ensure pets have cool water and shade and be cautious of hot asphalt and pavement as they can burn your pets feet.
Plan for Power Outages: Heat waves may cause power outages, so keep flashlights charged and where you can easily find them.
Check on Vulnerable Populations: Monitor family members, older adults, and neighbors by checking in.
Know Heat-Related Illness Symptoms: Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat-related illnesses happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site provides information on how to identify and respond to heat-related illnesses.
Ready.gov: Provides information on how to prepare for and respond to extreme heat.
NIOSH Heat Stress – Smartphone App: Resource for planning outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. It has a real-time heat index and hourly forecasts specific to your location.
CDC’s Heat and Health Tracker: Provides local heat and health information so communities can better prepare for and respond to extreme heat events.
Flooding/Spring Runoff
General Information
While the Boise River is a picturesque feature of our city, its proximity increases the risk of campus flooding. Rising river levels associated with periods of increased precipitation, snowmelt, and water releases from Lucky Peak can result in unsafe water recreation conditions, localized flooding in low-lying areas adjacent to the river, and groundwater seepage into university buildings.
Weather alerts are issued to inform the community about potential or imminent flooding conditions:
A warning is issued when hazardous weather is imminent, occurring, or likely to occur, posing a threat to life or property. People in the affected area must take protective actions immediately.
An advisory is for less severe conditions that may cause inconvenience but could still threaten life or property if caution is not taken.
A watch indicates that hazardous weather is possible, but its occurrence, location, or timing is uncertain. It serves as an early alert, encouraging people to stay informed and prepare in case the weather develops into a more serious situation.
National Weather Service (NWS): Issues flood warnings and watches to alert the public of potential or ongoing flood threats. They also provide forecasts for spring runoff and snowmelt conditions.
Steps to Take to Prepare for Flooding
Stay Informed: Monitor local weather forecasts and alerts from NWS for flood advisories, warnings, or watches.
Prepare Emergency Kits: Have a disaster preparedness kit ready, including essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, and important documents.
Elevate Valuable Items: Move valuables and electronics to higher ground or upper floors to minimize flood damage.
Secure Property: Install barriers such as sandbags or flood shields around vulnerable areas to prevent water intrusion.
Know Evacuation Routes: Familiarize yourself with evacuation plans and routes in case of flooding, particularly if you live in a floodplain.
Resources/Links
FEMA – Flood Preparedness: Provides guidelines on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from flooding events, including access to flood maps and insurance information.
Fog is a cloud that touches the ground, significantly reducing visibility and creating hazardous conditions, especially for drivers. It forms when the air temperature and dew point are within 4°F of each other. Unlike mist, fog can make navigation extremely challenging and requires extra caution to ensure safety.
Weather alerts for fog include the following:
Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when visibility is reduced to 1/4 mile or less, requiring drivers and pedestrians to take precautions.
Special Weather Statements: May be issued for less severe fog conditions to advise caution and preparedness.
Types of Fog
Advection Fog: Forms when warm, moist air passes over a cooler surface, typically in late fall or spring.
Radiation Fog: Develops in the evening when the ground cools rapidly, often dissipating in the morning sunlight.
Freezing Fog: Occurs in cold, moist climates when liquid droplets freeze on contact with surfaces, creating frost and slippery conditions.
Steam Fog: Shallow fog forms over bodies of water in the fall when warmer water interacts with colder air.
Fog Facts
Fog is most common during late fall, winter, and spring.
Freezing fog can leave frost on surfaces, creating hazards for vehicles and pedestrians.
While steam fog is often picturesque over lakes, it can still impact visibility and safety.
Fog can reduce visibility to near zero in extreme cases, leading to accidents and delays.
National Associated Guidance
National Weather Service (NWS): Issues Dense Fog Advisories and Special Weather Statements to alert the public about reduced visibility and potential hazards. Visit the NWS Fog Safety page for detailed information.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Provides guidance on safe driving in low-visibility conditions, including fog. Learn more at the FHWA Weather Impacts page.
Ready.gov: Offers resources for weather-related emergencies, including fog safety tips and preparedness steps. Visit Ready.gov Fog Safety.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Shares resources for disaster preparedness and safety measures, including fog. Visit the FEMA website.
National Safety Council (NSC): Focuses on safe driving practices in foggy conditions and provides downloadable resources. Learn more at NSC Fog Safety.
American Red Cross: Offers safety tips and emergency planning guides for hazardous weather conditions, including fog. Visit the Red Cross Weather Safety page.
Steps to Take During Foggy Conditions
Adjust Driving Habits:
Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Use low beam headlights or fog lights to improve visibility; avoid high beams as they reflect off the fog.
Maintain a greater distance between vehicles to account for sudden stops.
Use the right edge of the road or road markings as a guide to stay in your lane.
Plan and Prepare:
Postpone non-essential travel until the fog clears.
In dense fog, pull completely off the road, turn on hazard lights, and wait for conditions to improve.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety:
Yield to pedestrians or cyclists, as visibility is reduced for all road users.
Wear reflective gear or carry a light to ensure you are seen.
Fog and Extreme Cold:
In freezing fog, be cautious of ice on roads, sidewalks, and vehicles.
Thunderstorms produce lightning, which can strike objects or people and cause fires, injuries, or deaths. Thunderstorms may also produce damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain, leading to flash flooding.
Weather alerts are issued to inform the community about potential or imminent hazardous weather conditions:
A warning is issued when hazardous weather is imminent, occurring, or likely to occur, posing a threat to life or property. People in the affected area must take protective actions immediately.
An advisory is issued for less severe conditions that may cause inconvenience but could still threaten life or property if caution is not taken.
A watch indicates that hazardous weather is possible, but its occurrence, location, or timing is uncertain. It serves as an early alert, encouraging people to stay informed and prepare in case the weather develops into a more serious situation.
National Weather Service (NWS): Issues thunderstorm and lightning alerts, including Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, when there’s a high likelihood of damaging conditions.
Steps to Take During a Thunder/Lightening Storm
Follow the 30-30 Rule: If you see lightning and hear thunder within 30 seconds of each other, seek shelter and stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
Stay Indoors: Avoid using electrical appliances and stay away from all windows.
Seek Shelter: If outside, avoid open fields, tall trees, and metal objects (e.g., golf clubs). Find shelter in a building or car.
Avoid Water: Refrain from showering or using water during a storm, as plumbing and water can conduct electricity.
Unplug Electronics: To prevent damage from lightning strikes, unplug electrical appliances.
Resources/Links
NWS: Provides information on the risk that lightning can present.
CDC: Offers information on how individuals can protect themselves from lightning.
Red Flag Warning and Watches
General Information
Red Flag Warnings are issued when conditions are ideal for wildfires to start and spread rapidly. These warnings consider factors such as dry conditions, high winds, and low humidity.
A local program known as public safety power shutoff (PSPS) can be utilized by Idaho Power to proactively turn off power to areas where wildfire risk is high due to extreme weather conditions. The outage helps keep customers, communities, employees, and equipment safe. Customers outside impacted PSPS areas may also experience outages due to high winds and increased protection settings on power lines, which help prevent wildfire ignitions when a fault is detected. Outages may last longer than usual as Idaho Power will need to inspect the lines to ensure safe re-energization.
Steps to Take for a Red Flag Warning
Prepare for Evacuation: Review your wildfire action plan and prepare a “Go Bag” with essentials such as water, food, medications, and important documents.
Avoid Outdoor Fires: Refrain from outdoor grilling, burning debris, or any activities that could spark a fire.
Create Defensible Space: (YouTube Video) Follow FEMA guidance to clear dry vegetation, leaves, and debris around your property to reduce wildfire risks.
Stay Informed: Monitor local alerts and follow instructions from emergency services.
Plan for Power Outages: Be prepared for forced power outages during Red Flag Warnings to prevent wildfires caused by electrical equipment.
Winter weather hazards include snow, ice, freezing rain, and extreme cold. These conditions can lead to dangerous travel, power outages, and hypothermia or frostbite.
Weather alerts are issued to inform the community about potential or imminent hazardous extreme winter weather conditions:
A warning is issued when hazardous weather is imminent, occurring, or likely to occur, posing a threat to life or property. People in the affected area must take protective actions immediately.
An advisory is for less severe conditions that may cause inconvenience but could still threaten life or property if caution is not taken.
A watch indicates that hazardous weather is possible, but its occurrence, location, or timing is uncertain. It serves as an early alert, encouraging people to stay informed and prepare in case the weather develops into a more serious situation.
Exercise Caution Outdoors: Avoid travel unless necessary. If you must drive, keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
Prepare Your Home: Insulate pipes to prevent freezing and have heating alternatives in case of power outages.
Dress in Layers: Wear warm, dry clothing, and limit time outside in extreme cold.
Stock Supplies: Keep food, water, and medications in your home in case you’re unable to leave due to a storm.
Watch for Frostbite/Hypothermia: Know the signs of frostbite (numbness, pale skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion), and seek medical attention if necessary.
NWS: Provides winter weather safety information and resources.
Red Cross: Provides steps to stay safe during extreme winter weather including staying warm, gathering supplies, and associated checklists.
Wildfires
General Information
Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that spread quickly over forested or grassy areas. They are most common in hot, dry climates and can be ignited by lightning, human activities, or power lines.