9 a.m. Update: Showers remain well to the west this morning, with the leading edge only as far east as I-81. Some of these showers should make it into primarily the northern and western suburbs between approximately 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with a better chance of showers area-wide thereafter.

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Today’s temperatures in the 60s are fairly average by October standards, but substantially cooler than yesterday’s highs near 80. It’s all relative, though, because by Saturday we’ll be downright cold and breezy with highs having trouble reaching or getting much past 50. We might even see some stray snowflakes around town. But first we have some showers to deal with today. And what about Halloween?…

Radar & lightning: Latest D.C. area radar shows movement of precipitation and lightning strikes over past two hours. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Today (Wednesday): It shouldn’t rain all day, but scattered showers are possible at pretty much any point as a cold front moves through from west to east. Any showers should be mainly light, with the most numerous from approximately noon to 5 p.m. Temperatures start the day in the 60s for most of us, and should stay in the 60s under mostly cloudy skies. Winds arrive from the west-northwest at 5-10 mph, with a few higher gusts. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Showers remain possible as we get into the evening, but mainly south and east of the District, as temperatures fall into the 50s. We dry out overnight as winds from the northwest (at 5-10 mph) bring in noticeably cooler and drier air. Overnight lows drop into the 40s area-wide. Confidence: Medium-High

For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend…

Tomorrow (Thursday): High pressure builds in and provides plenty of sun, but the colder air mass still struggles to warm. With a steady breeze from the northwest around 10 mph, highs stall in the upper 50s to near 60. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow night: We’re colder Thursday night, though just about where we should be as far as your average Halloween Eve is concerned. Lows bottom in the upper 30s to low 40s under partly cloudy skies. Confidence: High

Burke Lake, Virginia, Oct. 28 (@SuaveElefante via Twitter)

A LOOK AHEAD

Friday should begin partly sunny before clouds increase during the afternoon. After the cool morning start, afternoon highs should reach near 60. Right now it looks like any showers moving in from the northwest should hold off until after 7-8 p.m., which is good news for trick-or-treaters but a bit too close for comfort (in other words, check back in case the forecast changes). Shower chances increase to 50% later in the evening and into the overnight. Any showers should be light but could be mixed with some wet snowflakes, especially in the north and west suburbs, as lows fall to the upper 30s to low 40s. Confidence: Medium

Saturday is the first day of November and boy will it feel like it. Mostly cloudy skies spit out some light showers from time to time, perhaps mixed with some more wet snowflakes as well. Highs struggle to the upper 40s to mid-50s with an increasing wind from the north. Any precipitation should wind down Saturday evening or overnight. We’ll stay breezy through the night, which helps keep temperatures from totally tanking. It’s still rather cool with lows in the 30s. Confidence: Medium

Sunday is another chilly one and still breezy. Mostly sunny skies can’t overcome the cold air mass, as highs can only manage the upper 40s to low 50s. We do see high temperatures moderating back toward the 60-degree mark early next week. Confidence: Medium