Tracking a dramatic cooldown to wrap up the week

TODAY: Friday sees a big cooldown as a sharp cold front will drop temperatures below average areawide. While we started out the day in the 60s and 70s, we'll be dropping into the 40s by dinnertime.

TONIGHT: Clouds clear for especially the northern parts of the area, allowing temperatures to plummet to the lower 30s. Others to the south will be milder under clouds in the 40s.

EXTENDED: Most of Saturday is dry, but cloudy and dreary with temperatures topping out in the 40s. Rain overspreads the region into Sunday morning and won't taper off until Sunday night. Then we clear late Sunday night into Monday as high pressure slides in, which drops our temperatures to the floor. Under lighter winds and clearing skies, temperatures will likely fall below freezing and into the 20s early Monday. Much of next week will be in the 20s in the morning and 40s by the afternoon, with a chilly Halloween set for the region.