It turned into a downright balmy day Thursday, with afternoon temperatures in the mid 50s....just shy of a record high for December 18th. The mild air will hang on for the overnight hours, but a huge change is on the way Friday. In advance of a strong cold front, gusty rain showers will soak the Valley overnight; wind gusts of up to 45 mph will be possible after midnight. 

The wind will crank back up on Friday, once again gusting to 40-45 mph during the midday and afternoon. Temperatures will be in the 30s at daybreak, but we expect readings to tumble through the 20s in the afternoon. The wind chill should drop all the way to the single digits and lower teens. Snow flurries and snow showers will be around at times, with little accumulation in the forecast. 

The wind will relax some Friday night, then a breezy but more hospitable day will unfold on Saturday. Another cold front will announce its arrival Sunday moring with falling temperatures once again. 

A touch of rain, but little or no snow is in the forecast around Christmastime.