Yesterday's high of 82 degrees at BWI Marshall Airport - and the low of 63 degrees - gave us an average temperature of 73 for the day. That average was 17 degrees above the normal average for the date, making it one of the warmest days of the year so far.

The 82-degree high was, however, short of the 86-degree record for an Oct. 15, reached most recently in 1989. (We're back in the 80s again today, at least at Annapolis, Martin Airport and down in Washington. BWI is still at 78. We have 79 at The Sun, downtown.)

But our mild October weather, which has given us highs in the 80s for three days in a row, are about to end. Forecasters say the cold front moving through the region today will bring a "slight" chance for showers this afternoon and tonight. There is only cooler air behind the front. When the sun returns tomorrow, the highs will only reach the mid-60s. And that's about where we'll stay for the next week.

Of course, the mid-60s is where we belong in Baltimore at this time of year. The average high for Oct. 16 is 67 degrees. The average low is 44 - also where the mercury will come to rest for the coming week in Baltimore.

Still, hasn't it been sweet? Only six other dates in 2008 have exceeded their norms by more than 17 degrees. They are:

Feb. 6:  High 72, low 45, average 59 degrees, 25 degrees above average.

Jan. 7:  High 70, low 42, average 56 degrees, 24 degrees above average.

Jan. 8:  High 70, low 39, average 55 degrees, 23 degrees above average.

Jan. 9:  High 64, low 39, average 52 degrees, 20 degrees above average.

March 4:  High 71, low 47, average 59 degrees, 19 degrees above average.

Feb. 18:  High 71, low 37, average 54 degrees, 18 degrees above average.

Oct. 15:  High 82, low 63, average 73 degrees, 17 degrees above average.