Fall weekend: Crisp Canadian air sets stage for peak color. Get Bill Steffen's weekend forecast.

A quick-moving cold front is expected to usher much drier Canadian air into the region for the weekend.

As this front moves through the region on Friday, rain and a few thunderstorms will overspread the area and could disrupt the evening commute. Widespread heavy rainfall is not expected. In cities like Philadelphia and New York City, the front may hold off long enough for summerlike warmth to surge north, sending high temperatures into the 80s.

Tropical moisture is expected to advance farther north from late Saturday afternoon into Sunday, reaching parts of the mid-Atlantic. However, dry Canadian air advancing south should keep most of the rain south of the Interstate 80 corridor, where locally heavy rainfall can occur.

For much of the Midwest, this weekend looks favorable for outdoor fall activities, with mostly dry conditions, comfortable temperatures and a mix of clouds and sunshine, a welcome change from last weekend's nor'easter.

With October quickly approaching, fall foliage is becoming more noticeable.

“Peak color is expected in the Adirondacks and the Green and White mountains this weekend, and the weather should not disappoint. Farther south, the color change has been much more patchy so far, which is normal for this time of year,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

Much cooler conditions next week are expected to accelerate the color change, with chilly overnight lows and high temperatures slightly below the historical average.

"These weather conditions will also accelerate the color change farther south, with excellent viewing conditions into the Berkshires, Catskills, Poconos and even as far south as the West Virginia mountains," Anderson added.

Five-day forecast

• Friday: Less humid with clouds giving way to sun. High: 64 degrees. Tonight, mostly clear and chilly, with a low of 40 degrees.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 64 degrees. In the evening, partly cloudy with a low of 52 degrees.
• Sunday: Breezy at times in the morning; otherwise, partly sunny. High: 63 degrees. In the evening, clear to partly cloudy with a low of 46 degrees.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 62 degrees. In the evening, clear and chilly with a low of 40 degrees.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high of 62 degrees. In the evening, partly cloudy with a low of 52 degrees.

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