Tracking quiet and mild weather ahead of rain chances this weekend

TODAY: Thursday is forecast to be another mild and dry day. Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies are forecast today, in a similar fashion to Wednesday. Many may start clear, but low clouds are moving in from the east, and high clouds from the west. This will leave those in the west brightest through the day, but ultimately our forecast is for broken skies through the afternoon as both layers converge over the region. High temperatures are forecast in the mid-70s amid a light east-northeast breeze.

TONIGHT: Skies remain partly cloudy overnight. Temperatures cool into the 60s after sunset, and into the 50s by sunrise.

EXTENDED: Friday is likely a bit cloudier, but still mild. Highs are forecast in the mid-70s under mostly cloudy skies. Slight shower chances return in the north by Friday afternoon. Rain chances are increasing for Saturday and Sunday, with scattered showers likely. Rain chances peak Saturday night into Sunday morning, with drier weather likely by Sunday evening. Rain totals will be greatest north of HWY 50, where high-end totals are could range from a half inch to an inch and a half over the weekend. The weekend may be damp, but not a soaker. Better chances for widespread heavy rain look possible next week, but exact details on amounts and coverage will partly depend on how timing and placement of this system evolves over the next few days. Currently, rain chances are best late Tuesday, but this may shift into Wednesday with time.