Burlington faces near-record cold tonight before sharp warmup to mid-60s

Vermonters will feel the sharpest cold of the season tonight as clear skies and calm winds drive temperatures to near-record lows. The forecast calls for a low of 29 degrees in Burlington, with the coldest spots in the valley dipping into the low to mid-20s.

Near-record cold is possible in Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, and Plattsburgh. Higher ridges across the state are expected to hold in the upper 20s to near 30 degrees. This chill follows a return of sunny autumn weather earlier in the week.

Conditions will improve quickly by Wednesday. The sky will be partly sunny with a few passing clouds, but no rain is expected. Highs will reach the low to mid-50s, with the coolest readings near the International Border and the Northeast Kingdom. Winds will shift to the south overnight, bringing milder air and a low of 47 degrees.

Thursday brings a significant jump in temperature. It will be mostly sunny and unseasonably warm, with highs hitting 64 degrees in Burlington. Strong south winds will produce gusts up to 25 mph, particularly in the St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys where temperatures may push into the mid to upper 60s. A cold front will move through late in the day, bringing a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and gusts to 25 mph early in the evening.

Friday will be mostly sunny and breezy. A lingering morning shower is possible across the northern mountains before conditions dry out. Highs will reach 56 degrees with gusts to 22 mph as cooler, drier air moves in from the northwest. Overnight lows will fall to 39 degrees.

The weekend looks crisp and dry. Saturday will be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 40s, dropping to the mid-30s at night. Calm winds and bone-dry air should make for good trick-or-treating conditions, though layers are recommended as it gets dark. Sunday will rebound with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-50s. Monday turns partly sunny and milder near 59 degrees, with a 40 percent chance of patchy drizzle. Tuesday will cool back to the low 50s under partly sunny skies.