The leaves are already changing color, though we will have another push of warm weather today before cooler temperatures settle in. Much-needed rain chances also come back into the picture, which is great as Eau Claire is nearly an inch and a half below average for precipitation in September.

The consecutive streak for 80° highs could continue on Saturday in Wausau, which a chance of strong storms later in the day

First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Bureys says our drier weather pattern has arrived. Only a few isolated showers this evening then brief isolated showers Saturday will be near the coast in the morning and well inland in the afternoon but most areas will stay dry with highs in the low 80s at the beaches to mid 80s inland.

Saturday started out with mostly sunny skies along with some upper-level clouds, hinting at storms we are tracking for the evening hours. A weak low pressure system descending from the northern Great Lakes will attempt to bring us precipitation starting around 4 p.

Summer is going out with a bang! Our 9th heat wave of the year will last through the weekend and into the start of the fall season.

We’ve enjoyed 11 days full of sunshine, dry weather and summer-like temperatures, but like all good things, this will come to an end. An upper level disturbance will be crossing the eastern Great Lakes on Saturday,

Breezy onshore winds are expected later today, which will lead to a high risk of rip currents at area beaches. Those heading to the coast should use caution.

We will likely start tomorrow morning dry and mild with temperatures in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Tomorrow will end up dry with a partly cloudy sky. High temperatures will likely remain several degrees above average with most of us in the lower 90s.