After narrowly missing a record high on Wednesday (the high was 84°, which approached the record of 85° set in 1986), we have another warm day on tap for Thursday. We start the day in the mid-50s before temperatures head to the low 80s in the afternoon under partly cloudy skies — yet another rain-free day as we start November. The rain-free streak looks to come to an end this weekend, though, as a cold front moves by and high pressure wedges southward.

Friday & the weekend: Sharp cooldown, first solid rain chance in weeks

Clouds will be on the increase ahead of the aforementioned cold front on Friday. Despite the increased cloud cover, we’ll still head back into the 80s for one more day, though, as warm air pumps in from the south and southwest. The rain-free stretch could end Saturday as some isolated showers will be possible across the area as the front gets by, but it looks more likely that we’ll see showers on Sunday, particularly in the afternoon, as a trough moves by. Amounts should be around a quarter to half-inch, though locally heavier (and, for that matter, lighter) rainfall can’t be ruled out. It won’t make up for the 1.27″ deficit we’re running at this point in the year, but every little bit helps.

The sharp drop in temperature, though, is what’s probably going to get folks. High pressure wedging southward behind the front will create a cold air damming scenario starting Saturday through at least Tuesday, and this will keep temperatures suppressed to the low 60s on Saturday and possibly not getting out of the mid-50s on Sunday. Combined with showers, it’ll make for a kind of a raw feel to the air, especially Sunday. It’s a good weekend to catch up on indoor things, it looks like.

Below-normal temperatures will continue well into next week, though rain chances will depart Monday as drier air moves into the area.

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