Precipitation and cooler temperatures are expected as a hazardous weather outlook posted for the North Country warns of changeable weather this afternoon through Friday morning.

The National Weather Service is warning that southwest winds will be increasing with gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range across much of the area, and showers developing this afternoon could be accompanied by some isolated thunderstorms. Gusty winds and very small hail will be possible with any of the showers or storms, the NWS says.

The showers will decrease in tonight, but then a cold front will drop out of Canada late tonight and a burst of snow showers and falling temperatures are expected for the morning commute on Friday, according to NWS predictions.

High temps today will be in the mid 50s. Tonight’s lows are expected to be around 30. Highs Friday are predicted to reach around 35.

The weekend outlook is for clearing skies and cool temperatures.

• Today: A slight chance of showers, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Tonight: Scattered rain showers before 3am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

• Friday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Northwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

• Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

• Saturday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 32. Northwest wind around 9 mph.

• Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 15. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Light and variable wind.

• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Calm wind.

• Monday: A chance of snow, mixing with rain after 1pm, then gradually ending. Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Light west wind becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 11 to 13 mph.

• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 9 to 14 mph.

• Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable.

• Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.