Forecast: Milder Air On Tap For The Weekend

At 6.4 inches, Boston set a new record for the most amount of snow to fall on Dec. 17. Tuesday's storm broke the longstanding record of 3.8 inches set back in 1970.

While the snowstorm wasn't a blockbuster, the timing caused an evening commute not seen since the other epic homebound rush back on Dec. 13, 2007, when a similarly timed storm created gridlock on the roads.

The storm will leave the area early Wednesday, pulling the clouds with it. Bright, sometimes blinding sunshine will ensue in the afternoon. Temperatures will rise to about the freezing mark in Boston for a bit of melting on the roads.

Most of us are assured a white Christmas, although milder air will try to spoil Santa's ride as we head into the weekend. The milder air moves in as we get to the weekend, but the boundary between the cold and mild air will remain close to the region, therefore a chance of showers with a lot of clouds will be in the forecast.

Wednesday: Clearing skies and breezy. Highs 29-32, 34-37 on the Cape and Islands.

Wednesday night: Clear, 15-22 and 23-28 on the Cape and Islands.

Thursday: Sunshine and milder 33-38 and 38-43 on the Cape and Islands.

Friday: Cloudy, 41-49.

Saturday: Clouds and a few showers, 42-49.

Sunday: Clouds with a chance of showers. Milder, with highs 45-50 and 50-55 on the Cape and Islands.

Follow updates from David Epstein on Twitter @growingwisdom.