Burlington hits low 70s before rain arrives

Burlington residents should expect temperatures in the low and mid 70s on Wednesday, a level warm enough to break or tie local records. The unseasonable heat follows a morning of leftover cloud cover but will intensify as sunshine returns. By Wednesday night, clouds will return and lows will drop into the 50s.

The weather pattern shifted abruptly from the cold start of November. The forecast predicts a sharp reversal in temperature, moving from typical early November conditions to September-like warmth. This spike in heat sets the stage for a rapid cooling trend that begins immediately after.

Rain will arrive on Thursday. Showers are expected to roll through from west to east in the mid to late morning. Most locations will receive only a couple of tenths of an inch of precipitation. Temperatures will drop slightly to the low and mid 60s.

Friday will bring drier conditions, though spotty showers remain possible. Highs will fall to the upper 50s and lower 60s. The weekend will see further cooling. Saturday afternoon highs are forecast for the 40s to about 50. Sunday will remain in the 40s with a chance of spotty morning showers.

Clouds and passing showers will persist into next week. Meteorologist Peter Kvietkauskas noted that mountain snowflakes could appear on Monday and Tuesday. Rainfall amounts will stay low, peaking at about 0.5 inches on any single day.