A brief ridge of high pressure will bring warming temperatures and some sunshine to the region today before coastal low pressure spreads light snow and blowing snow over portions of the forecast area Thursday and Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Behind this system another surge of brutally cold air is expected for Friday and Saturday with dangerously cold wind chills likely, NWS says.

There is a 50 percent chance of snow showers today, mainly between 7 and 10 a.m., forecasters say. Skies are expected to clear as the day unfolds with a high of 22 degrees.

A half inch or less of accumulation is expected.

Overnight the low will be around 8 with wind chill values of -8, the service says. Another half inch of less of snow is possible.

Thursday will see a high around 18 with an inch of snow possible after 10 a.m., NWS says.

The forecast through next Tuesday is as follows:

Thursday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 18. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday Night

Snow likely before midnight, then a chance of snow showers between midnight and 3am. Cloudy, with a low around -10. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Areas of blowing snow after 11am. Cloudy and cold, with a high near -6. West wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around -20. West wind 11 to 13 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny and cold, with a high near -10. West wind 9 to 11 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around -21. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. South wind 7 to 9 mph.

Sunday Night

A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 11. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Monday

Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 29. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night

Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 24. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.