Possible record heat followed by cooler weather and time change

Before the days get longer it’s going to get warmer — and then cooler — across South Florida.

With more humidity in the air, the early morning patchy fog that blanketed parts of South Florida Wednesday could return in time for the Thursday morning commute.

Fog notwithstanding, conditions that warmed up this week are expected to reach toward record levels before a noticeable change to cooler weather takes place through the weekend and into next week.

Thursday is forecast to be partly sunny and very warm with winds out of the south at 6 to 13 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

“The south southwest winds will allow highs on Thursday to get up into the lower to mid 90s over the interior east coast metro areas which will be near the record highs for this time of year,” the weather service said in its Area Forecast Discussion.

The record high for March 5 happened in 1964 when it was 90 at Palm Beach and Miami international airports and 89 was recorded at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Friday will be something of a transition day as another cold front approaches the region. There’s a 20% chance of early showers. The high will be near 80 and winds from the southwest will start out at about 7 to 14 mph before shifting to be out of the north in the afternoon with gusts up to 18 mph.

The cold front will fully be in place by late Friday and early Saturday. Saturday is forecast to be dry and mostly sunny with a high only near 71 and winds from the northeast at 14 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, according to the weather service.

Daylight Saving Time arrives this weekend — officially at 2 a.m. Sunday. So, before going to bed Saturday night set you clocks ahead one hour.

The blustery conditions will remain Sunday when the high will be about 72.

The cooler conditions will stick around early in the new week with a slight warming trend starting Tuesday when the high is forecast to be about 77.