Wednesday's high of 75 degrees at BWI made for a delightful day if you could get out to enjoy it (I finally did). It wasn't close to a record, which would be the 90-degree reading for Baltimore on Oct. 21, 1947.  It was, however, 30 degrees warmer than it was on Friday of last week. So it sure felt like heat to many of us.

Thursday's record high is only 85 degrees (set in 1979). But as nice as it will be today, we won't get nearly that high, either. Forecasters out at Sterling are calling for a high of 74 degrees at BWI-Marshall, with clouds beginning to encroach on the area as that cold front approaches from the Midwest.

And that will end this pleasant stretch, sending temperatures back toward normal highs, which at this end of October are around 65 degrees. Friday's forecast high is just 63 degrees, with showers developing late in the day.

That rain will likely get heavier overnight and into Saturday, with as much as an inch possible before the lows moving along the cold front depart and it tapers off. 

At least this next batch of rain won't linger long. By Sunday we should be back in the sunshine, but with highs 10 degrees cooler than we're seeing this week - and close to the normal range for this time of year. The next frontal system and rain chances move in after mid-week.

(Graphic: National Weather Service)