It looks like we’re going to squeeze out one more record high today, but then a cold front this evening knocks us back to reality for the weekend.

Another one bites the dust

For many of our warm weather fans, Thursday was terrific — our first 80° day of the year with plenty of sunshine to boot. The high of 80° broke the record of 79° previously set in 1999 for our second consecutive record high.

It looks as if a third record high is going to fall, too, as temperatures should surge into the low 80s across the area before the first of a couple frontal boundaries swings through this afternoon.

Changes for the weekend

The brunt of the cooler air will arrive later tonight as the main wedge of high pressure begins to build in from the northeast. This will swing winds around to the northeast and keep us cooler than normal through early next week.

Saturday appears to remain dry as high pressure continues to build in from the north. There will be enough moisture for mostly cloudy skies, but that’s about it. The story will be the chill — highs in the upper 50s will be below normal for this time of year and some 20° cooler than we will see today. (I hope you haven’t misplaced your sweaters!)

Sunday will remain dry for the vast majority of us, though a few showers cannot be totally ruled out along the coast from time to time as a trough of low pressure sets up parallel to the shore. Temperatures will remain cool under the influence of the high pressure wedge, only topping out once again in the upper 50s. Rain chances head up late Sunday into Monday as better moisture begins to move into the area.

Next week: Warming a little, but unsettled

An unsettled pattern takes shape for the upcoming work week as a warm front lifts north of the area, bringing with it scattered showers for Monday and Tuesday. Highs Tuesday will be in spitting distance of record levels again (record high of 79° was set in 2017), but right now are not forecast to be broken.

Shower chances continue into Wednesday as a cold front moves through, followed by a brief respite of high pressure for Thursday. Temperatures level back out in the mid-60s, fairly close if not a touch above normal for mid-February.

It’s worth noting that NWS notes divergence in the model guidance on Thursday in its forecast discussion, so don’t consider that forecast set in stone — as always with seven-day forecasts, check back for updates as the weather picture becomes more clear.