Today's Weather: Spring Rainstorm Overnight

The first full day of spring will feature a blend of clouds and sunshine but the clouds will end up winning. By the late afternoon and early evening, a few rain showers will start to move into western Connecticut — the forerunners of a slug of rain for the overnight hours. It looks like we'll see anywhere from 1/2 to 1 inch of rainfall, most of it over by the early to middle part of the commute Friday.

This weather system is going to move directly over New England, meaning only the western and northern ski areas will see snow, at least through Friday.

As the storm pulls into Canada Friday night it will intensify and eventually, strong gusty winds will blow. There's even the chance for a few snow showers Friday night in early Saturday, right to the coastline. A coating to 1/2 inch of snow over the higher terrain can't be ruled out.

This is the time of year when there are large fluctuations of temperature each day. Saturday will be blustery and cold; Sunday will be mild. Typically, temperatures this time of year often get into the lower 50s but we'll be even milder on Sunday with readings approaching 60 degrees.

Next week features temperatures back at or below seasonal averages: a reminder that we are still in March and consistently warm weather is a month or more away.

Since we are now past the vernal equinox we have gained about 50 percent of the total light we will gain for the year. Over the next three months sunrise and sunset will continue to be further apart.

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Thursday: Partly to mostly sunny, then clouding up. Highs nearing 50, cooler in the afternoon at the coast.

Thursday Night: Rain develops early. Briefly heavy. Breezy. Lows 35-43.

Friday: Clouds with any showers ending. Highs near 50.

Saturday: Early snow showers, blustery and cold. Highs in the mid-40s.

Sunday: Mainly sunny and milder. Highs 55-60.