Weekend forecast: Pricey gas, cool weather
Idaho fuel prices remain high as moderate temps expected for Memorial Day weekend
Idaho may lag behind the rest of the nation in a lot of areas, but when it comes to gas prices, the Gem State ranks among the 10 most expensive states in the country, according to the American Automobile Association.
The AAA reported Thursday that the national average for a gallon of gasoline sits at $3.61. With a record 38.4 American drivers hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend, the price needle could point a bit higher.
Idaho’s average, however, was $3.78 a gallon Thursday. Idaho County was priced even more than that with $3.95 a gallon, followed by Clearwater County’s average of $3.84, Latah County at $3.82, Lewis County at $3.67 a gallon and Nez Perce County selling at $3.67 a gallon.
Washington’s state average price for gasoline was $4.58 a gallon. Garfield County was advertising it at $4.50 a gallon; Whitman County at $4.37 and Asotin County at $4.08.
Andrew Gross, a spokesperson for AAA, said the move this week by the Biden administration to sell off the million-barrel Northeast gasoline supply reserve might help stave off any regional pump price surges, but it is not expected to move the national average much.
As long as gas prices are high, it might make better sense to stay home this weekend, anyway, and take in a few baseball games.
The National Weather Service in Spokane is forecasting cooler, wet weather throughout the region with thunderstorms, hail and possibly lightning today and Saturday. Highs today will be in the 60s and low 70s with lows in the 40s.
Saturday could bring intermittent showers and breezy conditions with temperatures, again, in the 60s to 70s and lows in the 40s.
Sunday is looking mainly dry, the weather service reported, but by Monday and upper-level ridge will move in, sending temperatures well into the 70s and low 80s for some spots.
That brief respite may stick around until Wednesday but more showers, cooler temperatures and thunderstorms may take their place by the latter part of next week.
Hedberg may be contacted at khedberg@lmtribune.com.
