Temps up, gas prices down

All right, have it your way. Temperatures are expected to go up and gas prices are coming down for Memorial Day weekend. Press climatologist Cliff Harris said there will be typical scattered showers ahead, but he believes there will be enough clearing on Sunday and Monday to still get outside and enjoy temperatures in the upper 60s to 70s.

All right, have it your way.

Temperatures are expected to go up and gas prices are coming down for Memorial Day weekend.

Press climatologist Cliff Harris said there will be typical scattered showers ahead, but he believes there will be enough clearing on Sunday and Monday to still get outside and enjoy temperatures in the upper 60s to 70s.

"I believe the chance for moisture on Sunday and Monday will go down," said Harris, adding that he expects a high of 70 on Memorial Day. "We've got better weather coming. Sunday looks like the best day. I'm going to still play croquet and barbecue on Memorial Day even if I have to dodge a few raindrops."

Harris said more moisture is coming from early to the middle of next week and he hopes it will hold off until at least Tuesday.

"A cool, wet spring is the penalty for the mild winter, but we need the moisture for fire season," he said. "If we would have had a dry spring on top of the winter we had, we'd really be in trouble."

To make the unofficial start to summer even better, gas prices are dropping and are expected to continue that trend, according to AAA.

Prices averaged $2.85 a gallon in Coeur d'Alene on Thursday and were a dime more in Post Falls.

"Barring some major catastrophic event, prices should continue to drop during the next two or three weeks," said Dave Carlson, AAA Idaho spokesman. "That should also mean that travel will be relatively stronger for the upcoming summer months."

While prices have declined about a nickel in the past month, they're still about 45 cents higher than a year ago and higher than the current national average of $2.76 a gallon.

Carlson said the falling prices are being driven by the European financial crisis, which has emerged to weaken the euro against the dollar and dramatically drive down oil prices.

AAA expects Memorial Day weekend overall travel numbers will be up more than 5 percent in Idaho compared to last year because employment, household income and consumer confidence are growing.

Auto travel in the region is expected to increase 8 percent, while air travel is expected to be 4.7 percent higher this year.

Area law enforcement agencies are conducting emphasis patrols through June 6, looking for impaired drivers and seat belt violations to reduce injury accidents.

Idaho motor vehicle fatalities declined by more than one third - to 40 from 62 - during the first four months of 2010 compared to last year.

U.S. 95, Idaho's primary north-south route, recorded 30 fatalities in 2009. Eleven of those fatalities occurred during the first four months of the year. This year, two fatalities occurred during that time.

There were 226 total motor vehicle fatalities in Idaho in 2009, down from 232 in 2008 and 252 in 2007.

Dangerous drivers can be reported by calling *477 or 911.