March 11 - 18, 2026: only a total of 0.06" rain on March 14-15th as waves of storm cells moved through, otherwise dry. Very strong winds associated with this low pressure system in W and SW Idaho. Snow in the highest elevations of foothill and mountains. Continuing very warm temperatures. The back yard has been mowed 2X in the past week. Some of the smaller landscape fruit  trees and shrubs are beginning to bloom -- forsythia, quince, and plum. Apricot trees have been blooming for a few weeks....petals are beginning to fall after a couple near-freezing mornings. Honey bees have been busy collecting pollen from early blooming garden flowers and trees/shrubs. Daytime temperatures have been consistently in the 50's or above for more than a week, and much of the winter leaf mulch and old seed stalks will be removed from gardens this week. Airborne pollen counts have been high or very high (mostly cottonwood, elm, and juniper) for weeks already. Flocks of sandhill cranes and snow geese have been reported flying overhead or visiting large ponds in southern and SW Idaho. Anna's hummingbird and many varieties of song birds as well as dove continue to be very active at the feeders. Late winter/early spring weather conditions here are at least 2 or 3 weeks ahead of normal for the area. Little precipitation from the passing storm systems. Little snow at higher elevations.