PM Update: Winds bring in brief cool down

Nighttime 30s? Warmth on the horizon after tomorrow

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Today has been a welcome return to sunnier and warmer weather. Following the passage of a cold front and maybe a brief sprinkle for one or two spots, winds have been a bit noticeable, with gusts as high as about 30 mph from the northwest this afternoon. Nonetheless, highs in the mid-60s to near 70 still feel mighty fine! We're looking at a brief cool down for tomorrow, but plenty of mid-fall warmth thereafter.

Through Tonight: Mostly clear and chilly. As the sun goes down any warmth from today will quickly dwindle. Lows fall to near 40 in the cold spots (maybe an upper 30s or two?) to the mid-or-upper 40s downtown.

Tomorrow (Friday): We're looking at mostly sunny skies to end the work week, but also some chilly winds. You'll probably want to bundle up in the morning and maybe throughout the day as we only warm to the upper 50s or low 60s. Winds sustained around 15 mph during the afternoon are likely to again gust to near 30 mph.

See David Streit's forecast through the beginning of next week. And if you haven't already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Southern U.S. drought: While drought concerns have dwindled across the immediate area (not so for western Md. and areas nearby), significant dryness continue across the South. La Nina patterns, like the one underway and expected through winter, often lead to fairly dry conditions in that region. Though effects are already being seen in lower crop yields, dwindling water levels and increased wildfires, officials fear that much worse is to come in the next 6 months or so.