Forecast: Mostly Clear Sky Today (Bringing Chances To See Venus) With Temps In 50s

Any clear sky before dawn this week brings an opportunity to see Venus. Later today, from about 12:45 p.m. until 1:45 p.m., the moon will cover Venus in something called an occultation. Although it will be daylight, if you look hard or get a pair of binoculars, you can actually see this occurring.

Clouds and fog could be a factor this morning, but I do expect mainly clear skies for the afternoon. Of course, the big story is the continued lack of cold air and zero snow. The mild pattern is likely going to continue for nearly the entire rest of the month. There could be some changes after Christmas, but the chances of any wintry weather happening before then are very small.

This afternoon you can once again expect temperatures to reach the 50s. As a storm passes to our east on Tuesday, some clouds and perhaps a period of showers will brush by Cape Cod. The biggest effect to the weather elsewhere will be a much chillier day. Highs on Tuesday will remain down in the lower 40s, which is more typical than the October-like temperatures of today and Sunday.

Another warm up comes at the end of the week with highs once again heading well into the 50s. Record warmth isn’t out of the question this weekend as highs could reach into the lower 60s by Sunday, more on that possibility on Tuesday.

The lack of rain remains another less evident problem. It’s not out of the question if this pattern holds through the month that 2015 could go into the record books as one of the top 10 driest years ever recorded. There are only a handful of times there has been less than 33 inches of rainfall in a year. Average is in the low 40s.

You can follow David’s weather updates on Twitter at @growingwisdom.

Today: Mild with any clouds and fog giving way to sunshine. Highs 53-57.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low near freezing.

Tuesday: Clouds, raw and cool. Highs in the lower 40s.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday: Early shower, otherwise lots of clouds. Highs near 50.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.