By Chris Sorensen

Warm weather will make a brief return for a few days ahead of frigid temperatures and potential snow.

Thursday kicks off a short warming period as temperatures reach the upper 40s under mostly sunny skies, followed by a mostly cloudy evening that will lock in some heat and keep the overnight low in the upper 20s.

Friday’s high will be in the low 60s, but look for west winds in the 10 to 20 mile-per-hour range and gusts to 30 mph as an arctic front begins to move into the region. Winds and warmer temperatures may produce some fire risk in the area.

Winds will continue into Friday night, gradually shifting to the north and continuing to gust to 30 mph. The overnight temperature will plunge to the single digits, and a chance of snow begins to take hold.

Snow becomes more likely Saturday, however less than an inch of accumulation is expected. Negative single-digit temperatures are expected overnight.

Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the weekend into the early part of the week, possibly returning to the low 40s Tuesday. Wind chill risks will be an issue, so take care to minimize outdoor activity and cover exposed skin to help avoid frost bite.