We will continue to trend warmer heading toward New Year’s Weekend. First, though, we’ve got to get through one more night of subfreezing temperatures, and then we get a long break. But once again tonight, though, be sure to have a faucet dripping, pipes insulated, pets indoors, plants covered, and the people in your life accounted for and warm. Temperatures will bottom out in the upper 20s — certainly not as severe of a freeze as we have seen recently — across the metro area. The good news is that we’ll warm nicely with temperatures approaching 60° in the afternoon under brilliantly sunny skies.

This warming trend continues for Thursday and Friday. While we start Thursday in the mid-30s, we won’t get below freezing (and won’t for a while). Expect afternoon highs in the mid-60s with just a few clouds.

Clouds will be on the increase ahead of a storm system on Friday, but we’ll still get a decent amount of sunshine in. Morning lows will be noticeably warmer, perhaps not getting below 50° at the coast and bottoming out in the upper 40s everywhere else. Highs will once again peak in the mid-60s, perhaps with some upper 60s in some spots.

Looking ahead to New Year’s Weekend

New Year’s Eve plans should factor in the risk for some showers and maybe even a thunderstorm or two, unfortunately. While temperatures will be relatively warm — expect low 60s as the clock strikes midnight — you’ll want rain gear if you’re out and about roughly midday Saturday into Sunday.