Bring a heavier winter coat with you this evening and into Thursday morning. The wind will stay lighter, but temperatures are still cold tonight and into the start of Thursday. It will be partly cloudy to mostly clear at times with temperatures dropping into the 20s. The normal average low this time of year is around 33 degrees.

It will be a nice and dry day with a mix of sun and clouds for the final full day of winter, but high temperatures will still be several degrees below the normal average high temperature of 48 degrees. Most temperatures on Thursday will top out around the lower 40s with a light breeze out of the southeast.

If you have plans to attend any of the many Saint Patrick's Day parades happening on Long Island or just want to enjoy our great outdoors this weekend, you will need an umbrella or rain jacket at times, but the weekend overall is likely to be more dry than wet.

The best chance for rain will be scattered showers after 8 p.m. Friday and off and on through Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon should brighten up a bit.

While there will be a lot of clouds around on Sunday, there is only a slight chance for a passing shower. Most of Sunday looks dry until an increasing chance for showers late Sunday night into Monday. Highs will be in the 50s on Saturday and Sunday.

With the start of spring comes the beginning of allergy season and there is a good chance you have been noticing your seasonal allergies already. Tree pollen has been active for a little more than a week or so now and that will only continue to ramp up into these warmer months. The vernal equinox is officially at 10:46 a.m. on Friday.

After the brief weekend "warmup" into the 50s, highs will be in the 40s next Monday through Thursday. Scattered showers are possible at this time to start the day on Monday. Otherwise, much of the week looks dry until next Friday.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows in the 20s. Light southeast wind.

THURSDAY: Sun and clouds. High 42 degrees; low 33.

FRIDAY: Spring arrives at 10:46 a.m. Partly sunny. High 50; low 39.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers, mainly in the morning. Some breaks of sun are possible in the afternoon. High 53; low 40.

SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy with hints of sun and a slight chance of a passing rain shower. High 54; low 36.

MONDAY: Chance of rain showers, mainly early. High 46; low 28.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny and chilly. High 42; low 34.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. High 47; low 34.