High pressure builds into the the St. Lawrence Valley today and gradually moves east tonight helping to promote dry weather across the area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Clouds will decreasE in areal coverage today with highs expected to be in the 30s to around 40 degrees, NWS says.

Clouds will be on the increase tonight as an upper level trough of low pressure moves toward the region eventually moving across the area on Saturday and bringing widespread light rain and snow, the service says.

The low exits the area Saturday night and high pressure returns for Christmas Day with dry weather expected along with highs in the mid 20s to lower 30s.

Christmas night will see partly cloudy skies an a low around 8 degrees.

The forecast through the middle of next week is as follows:

Saturday

Rain and snow, becoming all rain after noon. High near 40. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Christmas Day

Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. Northeast wind around 7 mph.

Monday

A chance of snow before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow between 11am and noon, then rain after noon. High near 43. East wind 7 to 14 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Monday Night

A chance of rain before 5am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Southwest wind around 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers before 8am, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. West wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday

Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 35. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.