Plan on extra time for both the Friday morning and evening commutes as rain showers are likely to continue on and off through the day. Before the morning commute could be some wet snowflakes mixed in with the rain.

In a process known as "dynamic cooling," heavier precipitation tends to bring down cold air above us in the atmosphere closer to the ground. The rain at the ground initially begins as snow, and some snowflakes may reach the ground around midnight as it becomes colder. Temperatures will be around 36 degrees, meaning it will not accumulate. The visibility will be the bigger concern with the heavy rain and big wet snowflakes at night.

This much-needed rain comes on the heels of the rare drought warning that was issued earlier this week. There has already been about one inch of rain so far, and up to another inch of rain is possible through Friday night. It will not be a drought-busting storm, however, as we need at least 11 inches of rain to make up the current deficit. Too much of a good thing is not good, with the flood potential and slick roads that could impact road and rail conditions.

Gusts will also pick up through the night, and exceed 30 mph at the immediate coast, with 25 to 30 mph gusts elsewhere across the borough during the heavier downpours around midnight. Twenty to 30 mph gusts continue through the weekend, with occasional 30 to 40 mph gusts on Saturday morning as colder air works down to the area.

The colder air could flip some of the lighter rain showers to wet snowflakes again Friday night as the storm departs. No accumulations are expected, but a welcome sight to winter weather lovers in what could be a sign of things to come in the next several months.

The storm remains close by all the way through early Saturday, meaning it will be much colder and dreary. The highs will be stuck in the 30s to near 40 on Friday. This will be the coldest stretch of the season so far, with scattered rain and/or snow showers Thursday night through Saturday 3 a.m. Highs rebound into the 50s for the weekend and near 60 degrees early next week. Then all eyes are on Thanksgiving and Black Friday for another potential wintry storm. Stay tuned for updates as the holiday approaches.