FIRST ALERT: Quick round of rain and gusty winds tonight, winter returns this weekend

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - A strong cold front will move through the area tonight accompanied by showers and gusty winds. Much colder weather briefly moves in for the weekend.

TONIGHT

As a strong cold front approaches the area, gusty winds and showers will develop late tonight. The showers will arrive in the Pee Dee after sunset and then across the Grand Strand closer to midnight. Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph will be possible at times overnight. Showers will quickly move off shore with the front around daybreak on Friday. Temperatures will remain very mild through most of the night, only dropping into the upper 50s to near 60.

FRIDAY

Friday will start off with lingering clouds but will quickly give way to clearing skies. A gusty wind will continue to usher in much cooler weather through the day. As a result, temperatures will hold steady in the middle to upper 50s through midday and will then likely start to slowly fall through the afternoon.

WEEKEND FORECAST

It will be a bright but brisk weekend. Friday night temperatures will drop into the lower to middle 30s making for a cold start to Saturday. With cold air moving in and low pressure developing just off shore, a few light showers may develop just prior to sunrise on Saturday. With temperatures dropping into the 30s, there’s a slight chance that a wet snowflake or two could mix in at times.

Despite sunny skies returning, high temperatures on Saturday will only climb into the upper 40s. Once again, winds will gusts up to 20-25 mph on Saturday.

The coldest weather settles in Saturday night with readings in the middle and upper 20s inland and upper 20s near the beach. High temperatures will climb a bit on Sunday into the lower 50s. The wind will still be around but should be weaker than what we will see on Friday & Saturday.

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