Mountain Weather

This weekend's storm ends a long warm, dry spell. The first week of October brought unseasonable heat to eastern and central Idaho, with temperatures running 15–20 degrees above normal and some lower-elevation sites near record highs. Little rain fell, but fortunately forecasters flagged a pattern change for this weekend, and it arrived on schedule. A deep trough moving in from the Pacific Northwest, loaded with tropical moisture, has brought steady rain and some high-elevation snow to the forecast area since this morning.

Snow levels started near 9,000 feet today, so most precipitation fell as rain below the high peaks. As colder air moves in tonight, showers will turn to all snow after midnight around 8,000–8,500 feet. Snow showers continue Monday, with valley highs in the upper 30s and temperatures in the mid-30s near Galena Summit, before tapering off Monday evening. Storm totals should average 1–2 inches of precipitation, with snow accumulating above 8,000 feet and up to a foot possible at the highest elevations.

High pressure builds back in Tuesday, with a stretch of sunny, dry weather through at least Saturday. At about 8,500 feet, highs will warm from the low 40s Tuesday to near 50 by the weekend, while overnight lows drop into the mid-20s to low 30s. Valley highs will climb back into the low 60s by Friday.