POST FALLS - Local gas prices have reached $3 at some pumps and the economy continues to sputter, but AAA still expects nearly a 10 percent jump in the number of overall Labor Day travelers this year compared to last.

That shows just how bad things were last year, said Dave Carlson, AAA Idaho spokesman.

"We're coming up against some pretty anemic numbers from a year ago," Carlson said. "However, some improvement in key factors like gross domestic product, household net worth and consumer confidence should give travelers more reason to hit the roads, skyways and byways during summer's last hurrah."

Weather and fuel analysts both predict stable conditions for the holiday weekend, with temperatures expected to be in the 70s and 80s and little further turbulence in gas prices.

"Though regional gas prices are quite a bit higher than they are elsewhere in the country, there should not be any major fluctuations downward or otherwise," Carlson said. Last week oil prices dropped on large inventories and weak demand, before settling up over the $75 mark on Friday.

"There was positive economic news (Monday) noting that consumer spending rose in July to its strongest level in four months, yet this did not seem to bolster the confidence of cautious investors," Carlson said.

The average gas price in Post Falls on Monday was $3 per gallon, 19 cents higher than last year at this time. Coeur d'Alene was at $2.95, 20 cents higher than a year ago. Monday's average in Idaho was $2.99 and the nation $2.68.

Gas prices have dropped nearly everywhere with the recent $10 drop in oil prices, but in Idaho that is not the case.

"Idaho's average price is sixth-highest in the country right now, an ongoing storyline that is yet to be explained," Carlson said. "Aside from regional market factors that frequently account for differences in prices, we're aware of no particular explanation why Idaho's prices have been at least 16 cents a gallon more than the average national price for the past five months."

Post Falls resident Pat Scott, who was filling up on Monday, said that while he continues to taste the sour economy, getting in some quality family time away from it all before school starts on Tuesday and the weather turns is too important to stay home.

"We're going to try to do some things semi-local this weekend just to enjoy the last bit of summer," he said. "We have all winter to be inside."

Climatologist Cliff Harris said after the rain earlier in the week, a warming trend was predicted on Thursday and today.

"The first part of the weekend will be warm, pretty dry and even windy at times," he said. "The warmest day of the batch will be on Friday at 85."

Saturday will be in the low 80s before Sunday and Monday give way to the 70s, clouds and a 20 percent chance of showers.

"We really do need the rain, so I'm glad we've got some in sight," Harris said.

Harris said light frost was reported in the Garwood and Hayden Lake areas on Monday morning, a sign that fall is approaching.