Tracking the potential for strong weekend storms with the breakdown of our quiet pattern

TODAY: Thursday is the last true day in the pattern that's kept us so sunny and warm. Things will change going forward into the weekend. For now, expect a very similar day to Wednesday, with mostly sunny skies, a light south breeze, and dry afternoon air making for a bright and warm day in the 80s. This will also contribute to some heightened fire risk this afternoon. The biggest difference today is some extra high clouds from a system to our southeast.

TONIGHT: Skies will see high clouds roll in this evening, and thicken especially for those in the far southeast overnight. Most areawide will see partly to mostly cloudy skies overnight. Winds remain from the south, keeping us in the low 50s by sunrise Friday.

EXTENDED: Friday, we should see a reduction in that cloud cover through the day as the system to our southeast moves away, but partly cloudy skies remain as another system is approaching from the west. A surface low and cold front will approach overnight bringing a chance for showers early Saturday morning. It's beginning to become clear that this cold front will pass slow enough to allow for destabilization of the atmosphere ahead of the cold front. This is most likely the eastern half of the region, where storms along the cold front will have potential for hail and damaging winds. This system is still shifting around quite a bit in guidance, so stay tuned to the forecast for updates on Saturday storm chances. Sunday is looking mostly dry and cooler behind this system. We'll have 60s Sunday, and warm back into the 70s by midweek, with growing rain chances into Wednesday.