Honestly, if you're looking at the weather forecast for Coeur d'Alene Idaho and expecting a frozen tundra this week, you're going to be pretty surprised. People hear "North Idaho" and immediately think of dog sleds and six-foot snowdrifts. But right now? It's weirdly mild. Like, "should I even be wearing this parka?" mild.
Today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 49°F.
✨ Don't miss: Why Photos from National Geographic Still Hit Different in the Age of AI
That is not a typo.
For a city where the average January high historically hovers around 34°F, hitting nearly 50°F feels like a glitch in the Matrix. It’s cloudy out there right now, but the air is relatively still with just a 5 mph breeze coming out of the southeast.
The Lake Coeur d'Alene Effect
You've probably heard locals talk about how the lake "holds the heat." They aren't just making that up to feel better about the gray skies. Lake Coeur d'Alene is massive, and it acts like a giant space heater during the early winter months. Because that water takes forever to cool down, it keeps the immediate town a few degrees warmer than places just twenty minutes north, like Rathdrum or Athol.
This "lake effect" is exactly why Coeur d'Alene on Ice—that outdoor rink everyone loves downtown—just announced they're shutting down for the season on January 19. It’s just too warm to keep the ice from turning into a giant puddle.
What to Expect This Week
If you’re planning your week, tomorrow (Wednesday, January 14) is actually going to be the pick of the litter. We're looking at 49°F again, but this time with actual sunshine. It’s going to be one of those "false spring" days where everyone in Kootenai County comes out of hibernation to walk Tubbs Hill.
Here is the quick breakdown of how the next few days are actually looking:
- Wednesday: Sunny and clear. High of 49°F, low of 33°F. Basically perfect for Idaho in January.
- Thursday: The clouds come back. It’ll stay in the low 40s, and we might see some light rain during the day. By nightfall, as it hits 25°F, that rain likely turns into a dusting of snow.
- Friday: A bit of a reality check. Highs drop to 37°F. It’ll be partly sunny, but you’ll definitely feel that northeast wind more.
Is the Snow Gone for Good?
Don't pack away the shovel just yet. While we’re coasting through this mild stretch, the long-term data for January 2026 suggests things will get "normal" again toward the end of the month. Historically, January is the wettest month here, and we usually see about 15.9 inches of total snowfall.
🔗 Read more: Why the Marilyn Monroe haircut style Is Still the Gold Standard for Glamour
We’ve had a lot of years where a "January thaw" leads to local flooding because the snow melts too fast, and then it flash-freezes a week later. Around January 22nd and 23rd, the forecast is already hinting at a return to light snow and highs back down in the 20s.
Why the Forecast Matters Right Now
Dave Muise from the Kootenai Environmental Alliance has been talking a lot lately about how these rising temps are shifting our local "normal." We’re seeing more rain and less snowpack, which sounds nice for driving but is actually kinda rough for the local ski resorts like Silver Mountain or Schweitzer. They need that base.
🔗 Read more: The Real Meaning of Hoochie: Why This Word Refuses to Disappear
If you're out driving this week, watch for "black ice" on the bridges, especially near the US-95 and I-90 interchange. Even when it’s 40°F during the day, the moisture on the road freezes solid the second the sun goes down and that temp hits the 30s.
Actionable Tips for This Week
- Car Maintenance: Check your washer fluid. With the melting snow and road grime, you’re going to burn through a gallon of that orange de-icer fluid in three days.
- Outdoor Gear: Stick to layers. You’ll want a shell for the 10% chance of rain today and tomorrow, but you can probably leave the heavy wool base layers at home until Friday.
- Ice Skating: If you want one last skate, get down to the Coeur d'Alene on Ice rink before they close on the 19th. The mild weather means it’s your last shot.
Basically, enjoy the "heatwave" while it lasts. North Idaho weather is famous for changing its mind every fifteen minutes, so while we're enjoying 49°F today, we could easily be scraping frost off the windshield by the weekend.
Keep an eye on the wind direction. When it shifts from the southeast to the north—like it's expected to do by Friday—that’s when you’ll want to make sure your outdoor pipes are wrapped.