Temperatures forecast to near record highs this week.

With temperatures forecast in the 70s this week, records could be tied or broken. To say the start to November is mild might be an understatement, normal highs for this time of year are in the mid 50s. Highs through Thursday will be 20 degrees above normal. 

Monday's high of 71° was not a record, but a foretelling sign of what's in store most of this week. The prevailing weather pattern through Thursday changes very little. Record highs the this week are in the mid 70s and the forecasts nearly match those records (Fig 1). Even with limited daylight, a light south breeze, clear skies and overnight lows in the 50s will aid in daytime the warm-up. 

The best way for those who work nine to five to take advantage of this nice weather will be for an extended lunch break, if possible. Sunset is now before six o'clock and temperatures cool quickly at night. 

The next change comes Friday, as temperatures drop below normal this weekend before rebounding into the 50s next week (Fig 2). This continues a trend we have seen most of autumn. Long stretches of dry, above normal weather with brief dips along the way and a chance for rain. That trend is expected to continue through November and  into winter, even as temperatures cool.