The possibility of strong thunderstorms today has prompted the National Weather Service to post a hazardous weather outlook for the North Country.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening as a cold front moves across the St. Lawrence Valley. The NWS says to expect them mainly between 4 and 11 p.m.

There are warnings about the possibility of lightning, heavy downpours, and strong winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

High temperatures today will be in the low 80s, and with high humidity, it will be muggy.

After the passage of the front, cooler temperatures are expected tonight, down into the 50s, and highs tomorrow only in the 70s under sunny skies.

You can follow developments by way of the links to weather resources on our weather page.

The NWS forecast for the St. Lawrence Valley and northwestern Adirondacks:

• Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 57. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 6 to 11 mph.

• Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

• Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Light and variable wind.

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

• Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

• Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

• Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

• Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

• Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Light and variable wind becoming south around 5 mph.