Last week was pretty insane. In fact, this past month has been a continuation of the summer pattern: hot and dry. We finish the month about 3 degrees above normal and with only 65 percent of normal rainfall. Big warm spells dominated in between brief dips of cool weather.

  I am waiting for a pattern flip where the cool weather, relative to normal, dominates and the warm shots are the brief fleeting experiences. Right now things are setting up for a very similar winter as last year; record warmth at times with a few weeks of consistent cold during which we could see a big snow storm or two. I’ll keep an eye on it, but right now the cold air hasn’t been impressive to say this is going to be a gangbuster winter!       

  Our best chance for rain this week is on Thursday as a cold front moves through the region. We could see thunderstorms, hail and heavy winds with the front! We will get dramatically cooler behind the front as a direct cold shot plops on top of us from Canada.

   Wednesday is one of the warmest days of the week. Temperatures surge to near 70 degrees. It’s November and we’re at 70. All my warm lovers please enjoy this day!

  If Wednesday wasn’t warm enough for you just wait until Thursday. Temps will get to near 80. Think about that. In only a month we will probably see our first snow flakes. A strong cold front crashes through with thunderstorms Thursday evening.

  Friday is a “snap back to reality” type of day.  It’s going to be windy and cold.

  Saturday is more tranquil than Friday but temperatures will remain cool in the 50s.

  Sunday is a cool day with a cold start near freezing in some places. A reinforcing shot of cold air may come in as well. If it does, maybe just maybe, we will start to see a overall pattern change from record warmth.

  Monday and Tuesday are very similar as we stay cool with temperatures in the 50s. Besides Thursday, notice the week is dry.

  The weather winner of the week is Wednesday; the weather loser Monday. •