Forecast: From Cool to Wet to Warming

* NatCast: Chilly Opener | Later: Reporting on Climate Extremes *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Increasing clouds. 51-55 | Tonight: Rain developing. 45-49. Tomorrow: Scattered light rain. 50-54. | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

The next six days will be half nice and half dismal. The dismal days kick off the week, with cool temperatures and increasing clouds today followed by a raw rain Tuesday and Wednesday. The nice days take effect starting Thursday with sunshine and rising temperatures right on through Saturday. What about Sunday? Right now, it looks to be something in between nice and dismal.

Today (Monday): The day will begin quite chilly, with many spots near freezing. Partial morning sunshine will warm temperatures towards 50 by around noon. But during the afternoon, clouds will become thicker likely holding high temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s -- which is a good 10 degrees below average. Winds will generally be light. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Clouds lower and thicken and rain develops -- mainly after the evening rush. Lows will be in the 40s. By morning, between 0.25-0.5" of rain is possible. Confidence: Medium-High

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend....

Tomorrow (Tuesday): Not a nice day -- at all. Rain is likely -- particularly during the morning. During the afternoon, the steady rain may subside, but low clouds and drizzle will likely remain. A raw breeze from the east will hold high temperatures in the low 50s. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: It remains cloudy and raw, with light rain and/or drizzle likely. Lows will be in the 40s. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

The dreary weather looks to continue into Wednesday when more rain and drizzle is likely. For the third straight day, highs probably won't go above the mid-50s. By Wednesday night, we'll finally see some gradual clearing, with lows in the 40s. Confidence: Medium-High

The weather will be much improved on Thursday as high pressure builds back into the region. A wind from the north will keep us on the cool side of average, but sunshine should at least allow temperatures to recover to around 60. Clear and cool Thursday night with lows in the upper 30s to the mid-40s (suburbs to city). Confidence: Medium-High

Friday and Saturday show great promise -- with a lot of sunshine, light winds and temperatures rising well into the 60s. In fact, we may hit 70 on Saturday. Friday and Saturday night should both be clear and seasonable, with lows in the 40s. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday's forecast is a little iffy as a weak cold front may push through from the north, setting up a cool breeze from the east and increasing cloud cover. So I'll call for mostly cloudy skies with highs near 60. Confidence: Low-Medium