Overview
- A potent cold front will sweep east Friday, with the Storm Prediction Center placing parts of the path in a Slight Risk for severe storms that mainly threaten damaging straight-line wind gusts.
- Thunderstorms are most likely during the mid- to late-afternoon into the evening rush, which could bring sudden strong gusts that threaten outdoor events and produce brief downpours.
- Behind the front, widespread northwest winds commonly gusting 30 to 40 mph will create hazardous marine conditions, high surf and possible beach erosion along affected coasts.
- Coastal and some southern areas face pockets of very heavy rain this weekend, with the Weather Prediction Center noting a marginal risk for excessive rainfall and isolated flash flooding and pockets of 3–5 inches possible.
- A sharp cool down follows the storm, producing the season’s first widespread frost or freeze inland late Saturday night into Sunday and brief mountain snow or graupel with no expected accumulation.