Forecast: Spring to Encounter Growing Pains

* Later: World Meteorological Day Feature and Quiz *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Mostly sunny, cool. Near 50. | Tonight: Mostly clear. 25-31. Tomorrow: Breezy and chilly. 47-51. | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Those of you anxious for warm temperatures will need to have some patience. After yesterday's 60-degree weather, we struggle to hit 50 today and tomorrow. We head back towards 60 later in the week but the milder temperatures may be compromised by rain showers at times. Of course, we need the rain, so let's take some wet days now so we can truly enjoy the warm, sunny days as the season blossoms.

Today (Monday): Strong, cold Canadian high pressure noses down the coast, delivering an early spring chill -- the sunshine notwithstanding. High temperatures may touch the low 50s south of District, but will be hard pressed to escape the upper 40s north of town. Winds will be from the north at about 10 mph. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Readings will drop to freezing or lower across the entire metro area as the chilly airmass holds strong. The north and west suburbs will dip all the way down into the low-to-mid 20s under clear skies and light winds. In town, the mercury will bottom out near 30. Confidence: Medium-High

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend.

Tomorrow (Tuesday): Conditions will be very similar to today as the cold air hangs around. Expect lots of sunshine, a chilly breeze (from the northeast at about 10 mph), and below average temperatures. Highs will range from the mid-to-upper 40s north of town to just above 50 to the south. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: The region will be in for its second straight freeze after yet another clear, calm night coupled with crisp Canadian air. Early-morning lows will range from the mid-to-upper 20s in the colder suburbs to right around freezing downtown. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

On Wednesday, after a sunny start, clouds will gradually increase as a warm front approaches the region. Late in the afternoon, a shower or two is possible (30% chance, 40% to the southwest). Highs will probably be in the mid-50s. Rain showers are more likely overnight (50% chance) as the warm front gets hung up in our vicinity. Lows will be in the 40s. Confidence: Medium-High

With a stalled front in our vicinity on Thursday -- or perhaps just to our south -- we should have a good deal of cloud cover. Still, I think we'll see some sunshine -- especially during the afternoon. Highs should be seasonable -- in the mid-to-upper 50s. Confidence: Medium-High

A light shower or two is possible early Friday morning as the stalled front retreats to the north as a warm front. Then, some sun may emerge along with milder temperatures in the afternoon. Highs should crack 60, and even as high as 65 just south of town. Confidence: Medium

For Saturday, a cold front will approach the area, with the possibility of some rain out ahead of it. It doesn't look like an all-day washout, but periods of showers appear to be a decent possibility. Highs will be near 60. Confidence: Low-Medium

Behind the front Sunday, it will probably become breezy and cooler -- with highs only in the low 50s. Confidence: Medium