Temperatures remain near 20 degrees above average out there today as highs top out in the mid to upper 60s this afternoon, light & variable winds 5-10 mph. Clear tonight with light winds as lows cool to the 30s. A cooling trend will arrive this weekend as the onshore flow strengthens ahead of a developing pattern change for next week. High pressure will strengthen through the end of the week, leading to unseasonably warm temperatures with highs in the mid to upper 60s one more day on Friday, south to southwest winds around 5-15 mph at times. We'll start bringing temperatures back down over the weekend as the onshore flow strengthens, still pleasant with highs in the 50s. Attention then focuses on a new series of Pacific storms next week that would bring unsettled weather into the picture for the holidays. Clouds and winds will increase later Tuesday with rain and snow showers arriving on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Unfortunately, at least this first storm will originate from a lower latitude, drawing a warmer tropical/subtropical airmass into the system. As a result, snow levels will likely start out well above 8,000 feet but could begin to lower on Christmas Day or the following weekend as a colder storm arrives. Of course, we're still looking at a week out, so we'll fine-tune the details in the coming days. Regardless, if you have travel plans into the mountains throughout the holidays, be prepared for winter weather driving conditions and always carry chains. The USFS will conduct a prescribed burn today near Polique Canyon (Northshore) smoke & flames may be visible, do not report!