February 9 - 18, 2026: a total of 0.29" precip. measured in the gage on Feb. 9, 11, and 12. The 0.25" measured on Feb. 9th was the first significant precip. since early January. No precip. Feb. 13 - 16. A low-pressure system moving in from CA and OR will be bringing much-needed rain to lower elevations and snow to upper elevations throughout most western and central Idaho later today and into this week. Garden/yard plants and trees/shrubs have been waking up about a month earlier than last year. Golden current bushes have leaves opening at branch ends. Grass is green and growing. The tops of some varieties of maples are covered with a haze of fuzzy blooms.  Late winter pollen from trees are also about a month ahead of previous years and have been noticeable since early February. Birds and other animals are hungry. Flocks of robins have arrived to eat last year's fruit on trees and shrubs like winterberry. Anna's hummingbird is eating insects and visiting the sugar-water feeders often, singing throughout the day (males).  The Idaho SNOTEL snow water equivalent for the Boise River basin is at only 70% while other SW Idaho basins currently are between 17 and 43% of the 1991-2020 median. Forcasted snow for especially higher elevations this week should help snowpack numbers in southern and central Idaho basins. Upper basin reservoirs have been holding back water this winter for this summers irrigation needs, but there may be water supply problems in 2027 if Idaho has another dry winter in 2026/27. There may be strong  wildland fire activity this summer and fall if snowpack numbers remain low.