Local meteorologist retires after 32 years with NWS

Jay Breidenbach is retiring as the warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Boise. He has served in that capacity for 32 years. During that time, he called the Treasure Valley his home and raised his family in Idaho.

Breidenbach graduated from Florida State University before moving to the state. He became a central figure in forecasting some of Idaho's most intense weather patterns. His career includes managing alerts for the Boise River flooding that followed the event locals called snowmageddon. He also predicted one of the warmest winters on record in the state last year.

Colleagues from across Idaho gathered on Friday to honor his departure. The event showcased the impact his work has had on weather monitoring in the Gem State. Breidenbach credited his team for supporting his career over the long term. “I couldn't have done anything without this amazing group of people that I've had the unbelievable privilege to work with all of these years. So I'm just so thankful,” he said.

In his retirement, Breidenbach plans to spend more time skiing and mountain biking. He said he will still follow daily forecasts closely. Weather has been a part of his life since grade school. “I'm gonna take this with me in retirement for sure. You know, I have lots of friends that are all asking me, Jay, what's, what's the weather like?,” he said. He expects to answer those questions for the foreseeable future.

The National Weather Service and Idaho News 6 partnered to share stories about his career. Breidenbach's departure marks the end of a long tenure in southwestern Idaho. He will continue to live in the area where he worked for over three decades.