The National Weather Service is warning St. Lawrence County residents of the chance of strong thunderstorms through early this afternoon, before skies clear and the temperature rises.

Such storms have the potential to produce strong and gusty winds and heavy downpours. As the front shifts to the east, the threat of thunderstorms will quickly come to an end by early evening the NWS says.

Temperatures today are expected to peak at about 85 as the suns reappears. It will be breezy, with southwest winds at around 10 mph with gusts to more than 20 mph.

Skies are expected to be clear tonight, with lows around 65.

Friday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 80 and moderate winds.

The chance of showers rises to about 50 percent Friday night with lows in the lower 60s.

Showers will continue to be a possibility through the weekend, with the best chance of clear skies during the day Sunday.

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

• Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

• Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

• Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers after 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

• Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 6 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

• Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

• Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 8 mph.

• Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

• Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 7 mph.

• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind 8 to 10 mph.

• Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. West wind around 7 mph.

• Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 7 to 10 mph.