Vernal equinox ushers in spring, yet cooler air is ahead

Tonight at 11:06 p.m. is technically our vernal equinox, or the start of spring.

Since we only have 54 minutes to enjoy while most of us are asleep, Wednesday is our first full day of spring to celebrate!

However, Wednesday brings clouds, rain in the late afternoon, and some cooler weather on the back end of the front.

Right now, a part of this system is stationed over the Great Lakes, moving very slowly.

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Although it is producing some snow in the cooler parts of the country right now, as it heads to southern New England, milder highs in the low 50s Wednesday will allow for some rain in the afternoon.

Most of Wednesday features mostly cloudy skies with breaks of sun, shooting temperatures above normal for March high temperature averages.

Some light rain is likely to develop between 3 and 5 p.m., so expect some windshield wiper usage during the evening commute.

Rain will be heaviest during sundown, before tapering off before midnight at the latest.

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Not much moisture is expected with this particular system. Most models expect under a quarter-inch of rain.

Behind this cold front, however, is a shot of colder air.

An upper level low sends below normal temperatures our way for the final few days of the workweek and into the weekend.

So while Thursday will be turning sunny, air temperatures only head into the low 40s for highs. The morning hours will be windy with wind chills in the 20s waiting at the bus stops.

Gusty winds all day Thursday are expected, with some gusts nearing or exceeding 30 miles per hour.

Despite the cold and windy conditions, we are dry until the weekend.

Our next chance of rain is more significant by the weekend.

This may produce one to two inches of rainfall or more all-day Saturday. We will keep you posted!

Watch the latest forecast from Meteorologist Christina Erne here: