A wide variety of weather is expected today through Thursday across the entire North Country with record high temps, gusty winds and a couple inches of snow expected before the weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Record high temperatures are expected today which will lead to more snowmelt and runoff. The record high of 49 degrees recorded in 1954 by the National Weather Service at Massena's airport, Richards Field. The high of 49 Tuesday came two degrees short of tying the record for warmest Feb. 28 day in St. Lawrence County.

Showers and isolated thunderstorms may produce locally heavy rainfall and all of these factors will lead to river rises, NWS says. Most rivers should stay within their banks but localized flooding will be possible especially later today into tonight.

As a result caution is urged driving if you encounter water-covered roads.

The high today will be near 61. The record high for St. Lawrence County on March 1 is 49 degrees and took place in 1954.

The other main weather concern will be strong and gusty winds later tonight into Thursday. Wind gusts in the 35 to 45 mph range will develop over Northern New York later tonight, the service says. There may even be some localized gusts to 50 mph. Winds this strong have the potential to down trees and cause power interruptions.

Lastly, older air moving in later tonight and Thursday will turn any precipitation over to snow and a dusting to two inches of snow will be possible, especially in the mountainous areas. Slippery roads may result and impact travel Thursday morning.

The forecast through next Tuesday is as follows:

Wednesday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. High near 61. Southwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Rain showers likely before 2am, then rain and snow showers likely between 2am and 3am, then a chance of snow showers after 3am. Some thunder is also possible. Cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers before 11am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of snow showers after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 4. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 21. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 7. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Light southeast wind.

Sunday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Light east wind.

Monday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.