Looks like Central Maryland can expect some more beneficial rain in the next couple of days. Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Sterling, Va. say that, after a fine, warm, sunny and seasonable day on Wednesday, the first in a pair of cold fronts will pass through with a 40 percent chance of showers and storms.

The first sign of a change in the weather will likely be some increasing cloudiness. As the high that's bringing today's pleasant weather moves off the coast, the wind will shift more to the south, bringing more moisture up from the Atlantic, off the Carolina coast.

Overnight, or by Thursday - the computer models disagree - the first cold front will approach from the Ohio Valley, setting off some showers and storms by Thursday afternoon. A quarter- to a half-inch is possible Thursday, with another quarter-inch to follow overnight into Friday. Ditto for Friday and Friday night. The garden will be happy.

The weekend looks terrific as the low departs and high pressure builds in behind it. Look for sunny skies, lower humidity and temperatures in the mid-80s.

By Monday, forecasters say we'll be looking at the next cold front, which is likely to be more potent than this week's, with a 40 percent chance for more rain. Sunshine returns by Tuesday, with a high for Baltimore of just 80 degrees. This is the weather we were wishing for last month.