East Idaho faces unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend and beyond

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)- Clear skies and unseasonably warm weather will set in across East Idaho tonight, with strong high pressure bringing near-record temperatures on Sunday. Highs in lower-elevation areas will reach near 81 degrees on Sunday afternoon under sunny skies.

The warm spell is part of a high-pressure system impacting East Idaho throughout the week, keeping conditions unseasonably warm and dry through Friday. Lower-elevation temperatures across the region are expected to range from the upper 70s to mid-80s. Tonight will remain mostly clear with a low around 44 degrees and light, variable winds before clearing out to a calm Sunday morning.

A weak weather system on Monday may bring isolated thunderstorms to portions of the southern highlands and central mountains. Overall rainfall is expected to remain very limited.

Following Monday's system, high pressure will rebound to maintain dry conditions across the region through Friday. Daytime highs will stay warm, hovering near 78 degrees on Tuesday, 77 on Wednesday, 76 on Thursday and 78 on Friday. Overnight low temperatures throughout the week will drop into the upper 40s and lower 50s.

Looking further ahead, weather forecasters are monitoring a potential trough system that may reach the Pacific Northwest next weekend. If the system moves through the region as computer models suggest, it could bring cooler temperatures and a return of precipitation to East Idaho.