A milder and wet weather pattern is expected through Wednesday. Daytime high temperatures in area valleys will be climbing into the 40s, and even 50s in some locations. With the warmer air in place, snow levels will be climbing to near 8500 feet. This means precipitation will mainly be falling as rain during this period. Rain and melting snow will lead to saturated ground conditions and possible ponding of water. The highest precipitation amounts are expected in northwest Montana and north-central Idaho. Cooler air is on track to move back in by Thursday, bringing snow levels back down toward pass level. Although daytime high temperatures will be mild, cooler overnight periods will make patchy black ice a possibility during the morning hours.