Showers and thunderstorms could produce heavy rain in the North Country this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say this is the first surge of moisture associated with tropical system Barry now moving into our area.

This is the beginning of what forecasters are calling “an active period of weather...expected across the North Country through Saturday.”

A cold front is dropping south from Canada and heavy downpours from showers or storms will be possible this afternoon, NWS meteorologists say. The cold front pushes south tonight and drier weather is expected for Thursday and Thursday night.

Hot and humid conditions are expected on Friday and Saturday. There could be some late afternoon and evening thunderstorms on Friday. The highest chance for thunderstorms, some of which could be strong or severe, looks to be Saturday afternoon and night, forecasters say.

High temperatures today will not reach 80, and overnight lows will be in the 60s. Under mostly sunny skies Thursday, the high is expected to be in the low 80s and overnight lows in the upper 60s before high temperatures approaching 90 degrees on Friday and Saturday.

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

• This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 76. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 3 to 8 mph.

• Thursday: A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph after midnight.

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

• Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

• Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 3 to 6 mph.

• Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Light west wind.

• Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

• Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

• Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 6 to 9 mph.