PM Update: Ringing in 50+ degree weather

Relative to yesterday, the winds are less, the clouds are more, and the mercury about level - reaching the mid-40s this afternoon. But temperatures rock upward for New Year's Eve and climb even higher for the first day of the New Year. Are you ready for some 50s?

Through Tonight: Overcast skies partially clear and it's a little chilly. Temperatures fall back through the 40s this evening and eventually bottom out near freezing downtown with mid-to-upper 20s in the colder suburbs.

New Year's Eve (Friday): Incredibly, the last day of the month will be the warmest since the first day of the month (65). The sun is back and, with the help of winds from the south, temperatures ascend into the mid-50s. The outlook for 12:00 a.m. 1/1/11 is partly cloudy with temps in the low 40s (upper 30 in the suburbs).

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

Long-range look: Next week (after Sunday) is likely to bring mostly dry and fairly seasonable weather with day time highs in the low-to-mid 40s. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center indicates a good chance of below average temperatures beyond that in the 8-14 day period. In my latest Weather Gang Lab video, I discuss the reasons.