Tracking sunshine and mild temps today

Our temperatures climb back into the upper 60s today, with a few spotty showers possible across Eastern Idaho. We’re already seeing a little moisture working into the Eastern Highlands and Western Wyoming, so keep an eye on those skies if you’re heading into the mountains or traveling east. Lows start out milder, mainly in the 40s, so it’s a more comfortable start to the morning. A light jacket or hoodie should do the trick early, and with those afternoon temperatures approaching 70, you can shed a layer and enjoy some time outdoors.

But don’t get too comfortable with the mild weather, because a major pattern change is on the way! A strong low-pressure system will push back into the region Friday, bringing a much colder air mass along with increasing chances for rain and mountain snow. We’ll see temperatures take a serious tumble, with highs dropping into the 40s by Friday and colder air arriving Friday night. Overnight temperatures could fall below freezing, so it’s time to think about protecting sensitive plants, covering up those outdoor faucets if needed, and bringing pets inside when temperatures dip.

Saturday looks downright chilly by comparison, with highs only reaching the mid to upper 40s. Plan on bundling up if you’re heading to football games, fall festivals, pumpkin patches or other outdoor activities. A warm coat, gloves and layers will be much more comfortable than the light jackets we’ve been getting away with lately. Rain showers are possible in the valleys, while colder temperatures could bring snow to higher elevations and mountain passes, so keep that in mind if weekend travel takes you toward Western Wyoming.

The good news is that we should begin to see some clearing Sunday, allowing temperatures to rebound into the mid-50s. By Monday and Tuesday, we’ll make another push into the 60s, getting closer to more typical late-October temperatures. That means a gradual return to more comfortable afternoons, although chilly mornings will still call for an extra layer.

The big takeaway: Enjoy today’s milder weather, but keep the cold-weather gear handy. Friday and Saturday bring the biggest changes, with rain, mountain snow and a sharp temperature drop before sunshine and a gradual warm-up return Sunday into early next week.