Tonight, more clouds will be seen as a cold front approaches from the west. Overnight low temperatures will be in the upper 40s to low 50s. Spring officially begins tomorrow, and the new season will start unsettled for many of us. A cold front crosses the forecast area on Thursday, bringing w idespread showers and possible thunderstorms without the severe threat. The timing of the rain is late morning (near noon) for western Maryland, with the gradual movement into the D.C./Beltway region mid to late afternoon, eventually leaving Southern Maryland mid to late evening. Rain estimates around three-quarters of an inch along the I-95 corridor, with around half an inch elsewhere. This is certainly welcome, as parts of the DMV are under drought conditions. Behind the front, temperatures will drop, and the highest elevations of the Alleghenies will see a little snow accumulation Thursday night. Also, the winds will pick up as the cold front departs offshore, and high pressure builds overhead going into Friday. While the wind increases Thursday evening, the most substantial wind speeds will be through Friday afternoon. Winds peak Friday morning through Friday afternoon with gusts 35-45mph forecast. Winds diminish Friday afternoon into the evening. On Thursday and Friday afternoon, the thermometer will be in the 60s and 50s, with overnight lows in the 30s on both nights and the Alleghenies dipping into the 20s on Thursday night. While the temperatures flip-flop this weekend and into early next week, a few more showers are possible. The first will be more isolated on Saturday, with more DMV coverage on Monday. Saturday, a weak cold front associated with a storm system to our south looks to drop spotty showers on Saturday afternoon, mainly north of D.C. and along/west of the Allegheny Front. Drier weather returns Saturday night into Sunday before the next system arrives. Precipitation chances return Monday as a warm front with this next system lifts across the area early Monday, followed by the cold front Monday night. Showers will be more widespread with this front than the weekend system, with more blustery conditions following its wake. Mid-week temperatures will take a bit of a tumble but generally near or slightly below normal. 7-Day Forecast: Tonight: Mostly cloudy and breezy. Winds: SE 10-20 mph, Low: 49 (45-53) 1st Day of Spring: Cloudy and breezy with scattered PM rain. A few rumbles of thunder are possible. Winds: SSW 15-25 mph, High: 70 (65-72), Low: 38 (32-40) Friday: It will be mostly sunny and breezy. Highs will be in the middle to upper 50s, with lows in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Saturday: It will be mostly cloudy, with spotty showers late. Highs will be in the mid-60s, with lows in the middle to upper 30s. Sunday: Partly cloudy skies. Highs will be in the middle to upper 50s, with lows in the lower to middle 40s. Monday: Cloudy with scattered showers. Highs will be in the lower to middle 60s, with lows in the lower to middle 40s. Tuesday: It will be mostly cloudy, with spotty showers possible. Highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s, with lows in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Wednesday: It will be mostly cloudy with showers, especially from D.C. and points south. Highs will be in the mid-50s, with lows in the 30s to lower 40s. ...read more read less