Sun photo by Nanine Hartzenbusch 2003 

We're headed for the 70s today, with plenty of sunshine getting through amid increasing cumulous clouds. You can thank warm, moist air flowing up from the south and west.

But enjoy the next couple of days because forecasters see a series of cold fronts in our future, bringing chances for showers this weekend, and by next week a "soaking rain" before this balmy springtime weather returns.

But the work week (wouldn't you know) looks sunny and mild, with temperatures crowding 80 degrees by Friday. Plan your lunches for a sidewalk cafe somewhere, because you won't be eating al fresco this weekend.

They're calling for highs in the 60s and afternoon showers on Saturday as a high-pressure center over New England shoves what meteorologists call a "backdoor" cold front our way off the water. That happens when the clockwise circulation around the high to our north and east sweeps eastward around the high, bringing cool, wet air in off the Atlantic. This one's not too strong, so any precip will be isolated or scattered.

But there's another, stronger cold front approaching from the Great Lakes by late Saturday, increasing our shot for some showers on Sunday. And yet another cold front due here by Monday has plenty of moisture and forecasters are saying it "has the potential to bring a soaking rain to the region" early next week. The precise timing is a little vague at this point. But you'll likely need an umbrella at the bus stop next week.

There are still cooler conditions - highs in the 50s - and more puddles ahead later on next week. April showers, indeed.