Rain, 40 MPH wind gusts coming Thursday

Another wild swing in temperatures later this week could include rain and then some 40-mile-per-hour wind gusts.

Above normal temperatures are expected today and Thursday with highs warming well into the 50s. 

Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected Wednesday night into Thursday. The risk of a stronger storm is limited.

Gradient wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph are forecast during the day Thursday with total rainfall in the 0.25 to 0.75 inch range.

A brief cold blast follows Thursday night into Friday before temperatures quickly moderate back above normal over the weekend.

The chance for a white Christmas is bleak, with the extended 8-14 day outlook solidly warmer than normal for almost the entire nation.