Forecast: Showery Day To End Dry Streak

Becoming sunny tomorrow; cold next week

Not since the first of the month has it rained more than a trace; but this 23-day rain shutout ends today. Showers will continue intermittently, with the chance of a gusty thunderstorm late in the day. Tomorrow will be sunny and on the mild side before a winter-like cold air mass descends on the area to start next week.

TODAY (SATURDAY)

Showers and thunderstorms, breezy. 60-65. Periods of showers will likely continue this morning, although there may be some breaks when skies brighten. Winds from the south (at 10-20 mph with higher gusts) will allow temperatures into the 60s despite the cloud cover.

During the afternoon, it's possible (1/3 chance) that a line of strong thunderstorms develops -- especially impacting areas along and east of I-95. The main threat with these storms would be damaging wind, but an isolated tornado can't be ruled out. Rainfall totals will likely be in the 0.5" range, with some locally heavier amounts.

Tonight, clearing should occur fairly rapidly (by 7 p.m. or so) as low pressure scoots away to the northeast. It will remain a little breezy, with winds from the west at 10 mph. Low temperatures should drop into the low 40s in the suburbs to the upper 40s downtown.

Confidence: Medium-High

Keep reading for the forecast into early next week.

TOMORROW (SUNDAY)

Mostly sunny and mild. 65-69. A big push of cold air is on the way early Monday, but mild air will precede it tomorrow. Temperatures should rise well into 60s during the afternoon. For the Marine Corps marathoners, a.m. weather will be excellent... with starting time temps near 50, and rising through the 50s during the morning. Winds will be light out of the west at about 10 mph.

Overnight, temperatures fall off only modestly, bottoming out in the mid-to-upper 40s (suburbs to city).

A LOOK AHEAD

A strong cold front will blast through the region early Monday with a 30% chance of a shower. The afternoon should be variably cloudy and breezy with highs struggling to reach the mid 50s. Monday night will be quite chilly with lows 31-37 and a biting wind from the northwest at 10-15 mph. Confidence: Medium-High

Tuesday should be partly sunny but quite cool, with highs only in the low 50s. Partly cloudy Tuesday night, with lows in the mid 30s in the city and near 30 in the colder suburbs. As a weak disturbance pivots through, some snow flurries aren't out of the question by morning in the mountains. Confidence: Medium