How to Drive In Idaho’s Weather Conditions

Whether you’re visiting Idaho or planning a move, you should know what to expect from the weather and different driving conditions.

When you know how to prepare, you can stay safe on the road.

Here’s what you should be aware of when it comes to Idaho’s climate and the different roadway conditions you might encounter.

If you are also looking for auto insurance to protect you in Idaho’s weather conditions, start comparison shopping by entering your ZIP code above!

What the Weather Is Like in Idaho

Idaho has a varied geography, so drivers can encounter drastically different conditions from one side of the state to another. Higher altitudes have easier, cooler summers and will be extremely cold in the winter.

Meanwhile, the lower valleys and plains seldom see temperatures below zero degrees even in the heart of winter. In general, the northern part of the state sees more snow and rain throughout the year.

The state has three climates; mountains, valleys, and plains.

Each climate does experience all four seasons. January is the coldest month with average temperatures of around 38 degrees. July is typically the hottest month with temperatures climbing into the low 90s.

Precipitation levels also vary during the year with the summer being the driest time and rainfall peaking in December.

As a driver, you should be prepared for the conditions found in all four different seasons. Cars are more likely to lose traction in the snow during wintertime, but rain in spring and fall can also cause drivers to spin their tires.

Driving Tips for Bad Weather in Idaho

When it comes to driving in bad weather, it’s important to get everything in order ahead of time. There’s only so much you can do to handle a skid once it happens, but you can take several steps to ensure that it doesn’t become a problem to begin with.

– Get Your Car Inspected or Repaired

Cars that are well maintained and in good condition are less likely to have problems.

It’s a good idea to have the mechanic do a safety inspection on your car about once a year to be sure that your brakes are good and you don’t have problems brewing under the hood.

You should also check your:

• Headlights to be sure that they’re clean and in good working order
• Windshield Wipers to eliminate problems with streaks or missed spots
• Tire tread and pressure for better contact with road
• Fluids so that you can avoid breaking down on the road

– Stash An Emergency Kit

Even if you already have a first aid kit in your car, that really won’t help if you’re stuck in a traffic jam for a few hours.

Even if you’re not involved in an accident, you can still find yourself at a standstill on the highway while they get it cleared. In one of the worst case scenarios, you could go off the road in bad weather and have to wait for help.

The possibility of being stuck while waiting for help is why you’ll want to make sure that you have an emergency kit in your car and ready to go.

Here’s what you’ll want to find in the trunk if you have to make a temporary home in your vehicle:

• Water – If you don’t want the weight of water bottles, then bring refillable empty bottles and some water purification tablets. However, you should have at least a few small bottles of water that are ready to go.
• Warm Blankets or Clothes – If you’re trapped overnight or in the winter months, then you’ll want something to stay warm. You cannot count on just running your car for the heater because your fuel supply won’t hold out more than a few hours. Wool blankets are great because they work even if they’re damp, or you can go with a small space blanket that won’t take up too much room.
• Light – Flashlights, glow sticks, and emergency candles with matches are all a fine choice for ensuring that you can see if you’re stranded without help.
• Hand-Crank Charger – Look for a cell phone charger that you can crank up for the power. This way, you can keep charging that phone and calling for help even if your engine is completely disabled.
• First Aid Kit – The first aid kit is a smart idea, and you can stock it with more than just bandages. Include an eyewash cup, cloth tape, nausea and headache medicine, and duct tape.
• Basic Tools – In this day and age of AAA and roadside assistance, most people don’t travel with basic tools, However, you should have a simple tool set in your car so that basic problems can be handled. Include jumper cables, WD-40, foam tire sealant and a portable compressor in this emergency kit.

If you’re heading into the higher elevations and snow country, then you’ll want to take your emergency kit to a higher level.

Snow chains are a must for cars traveling on covered roads, and a small shovel can help you dig out if you get stuck.

Kitty litter is ideal for producing traction, and it can also add some much-needed weight to the trunk of your car.

– Driving in Inclement Weather

Since Idaho has the range of seasons that means the weather also can vary. You might think the only thing you should consider is the snow, but the driving rain in the spring and slippery leaves in the fall can be just as deadly.

Here are some tips:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly
• Be a cautious driver
• Keep sufficient space between your car and any cars in front of you
• Don’t make sudden stops
• Don’t drive tired
• Don’t break while turning
• If you loose control, turn with the skid
• Make sure you have enough gas
• Avoid parking outdoors for long periods of time during inclement weather
• Never drive without a seatbelt
• In bad enough conditions, just stay off the road

What to Do in Certain Weather Conditions in Idaho

For most drivers, the biggest driving concern is snow and ice. Even if you’ve done all the maintenance on your car and feel like you’re ready for anything, you can still encounter tricky driving situations.

Here’s how you can stay a little safer on snow-covered or icy roads:

• Check the road conditions before leaving so that you can reschedule or just be more prepared
• Watch the highway variable message signs for important information about conditions
• Leave earlier and go a little slower so that you won’t have to rush
• Give the cars in front of you a larger following distance to avoid aggressive use of brakes
• Try not to pass snowplows, and make sure that you have a clear view of the road ahead if you do need to go around a plow
• Driving tired can be very dangerous, particularly when the roads are bad, so avoid driving when you’re exhausted
• Never use cruise control when driving on slick roads

When going through the Rockies, rain is one of the biggest concerns throughout the year. While spring and fall are very wet, even the dry summer months will have some storms that come through.

Many of the tips for driving in the snow will also apply to rain.

Slow down, never use cruise control, and leave a larger space between you and the car in front of you.

In the event that your car should skid, follow these tips to try staying in control:

• Stay calm
• Take your foot off the gas to let the car slow naturally, but avoid hitting the brakes as that can alter the car’s balance and make it harder to control
• Continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go in

What Can Really Help You in Bad Weather

When driving in bad weather, the right auto insurance will give you peace of mind. Depending on the age and condition of your car, it may not be enough to have general liability insurance.

Here are three other coverage options you may want to consider:

• Collision Insurance — Repairs your car in the event that you cause an accident.
• Comprehensive — What you need to get your car fixed if someone slides into while it’s parked or a tree limb falls on it in a storm. It’s the most thorough coverage, and you can save on it by shopping around for better rates.
• Roadside Assistance — A smart investment. For just a few dollars a month, you can have assistance with everything from flat tires to dead batteries. You can also call for a tow if you go off the road in a storm.

If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation on the side of the road, reach for your cell phone to call 911.

In addition to your standard car charger that plugs into the port on your car, you should also have some type of portable charging cell where you can get power to your phone even if the car is dead.

Take advantage of the free market to find better rates on your auto insurance.

You may be able to save by comparing rates between companies. You can also save a little more by asking about discounts and increasing your deductible.

Start comparison shopping today by entering your ZIP code below!