MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An incoming cold front will bring thunderstorms and rain Friday afternoon through the evening.

This Evening

While the sun remains out skies will remain mostly clear, however cloud cover is expected to increase during the overnight hours. Winds will come from the south-southwest overnight at around 5 mph. With conditions having become more humid over the past couple of days, some fog will be possible tonight. Expect low temperatures in the mid to upper 50s heading into Friday morning.

Tomorrow

Friday begins the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon Georgia, and it will be welcomed with some rain. While conditions will be cloudy and warm early, storms will likely move in during the lunchtime hours. Expect high temperatures to reach the lower 80s before any heavy rain arrives with winds from the south at about 5-15 mph, gusting over 25 mph.

A Level 1 “Marginal” threat for sever weather has been issued for tomorrow afternoon. Some strong winds, small hail, or perhaps a brief tornado will be possible. The window for severe storms will likely be in the late afternoon to early evening before storms weaken and become showers heading into the overnight hours.

Tomorrow night winds will shift more towards the west-northwest and slow a bit, however gusts over 20 mph could linger through the night. It will be a warm night with low temperatures in the lower 60s expected rolling into Saturday morning.

This Weekend

Saturday should be a bit of a break from the rain save for a few showers early on. Showers will be most likely in the southern parts of the region, however they realistically could occur anywhere in Middle Georgia as the cold front stalls out and becomes stationary to the south. Highs will reach the upper 70s and lower 80s in the afternoon as a cloudy morning gives way to a mostly sunny evening. Clouds will return overnight ahead of Sunday.

Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day as well as the day of the Cherry Blossom Parade in downtown Macon. For those attending events in Dublin for St. Patrick’s, an umbrella/raincoat will be necessary as widespread rain takes over during the lunchtime hours. The Parade in Macon will likely see some rain as well as it starts at 3:00 PM Sunday, and rain will likely move in between 1 and 4 PM Sunday afternoon. It’s too far out at this point to know if there will be a severe weather risk.

Conditions will clear Monday as cooler and drier air moves into the southeast behind Sunday’s cold front.

Follow Meteorologist Aaron Lowery on Facebook (Aaron Lowery 41NBC) and Twitter (@ALowWX) for weather updates throughout the day. Also, you can watch his forecasts Monday through Friday on 41NBC News at 4, 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m.