Weather Outlook: Sunny skies, cooler nights and weekend rain chances

Mostly sunny skies and cooler overnight temperatures are expected across Natchitoches Parish through the weekend, with a slight chance of rain returning Sunday and Monday.

Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping into the lower 50s and northwest winds around 5 mph.

Thursday will bring sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s, with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph. Clear skies Thursday night will allow temperatures to fall into the mid-40s.

Sunny conditions will continue Friday, with highs in the lower 70s. Friday night is expected to be clear, with overnight lows around 40 degrees.

Saturday will be mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 60s. Partly cloudy skies are expected Saturday night, with temperatures dropping into the lower 40s.

Cloud cover will increase Sunday, bringing mostly cloudy conditions and a slight chance of afternoon showers. Highs will remain in the upper 60s, with a 20 percent chance of rain.

Sunday night will remain mostly cloudy, with a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly during the evening. Overnight lows will be in the mid-40s.

Monday will bring partly cloudy skies and a 20 percent chance of showers, with afternoon highs around 70 degrees.

Overall, the forecast calls for several days of dry weather and cooler nighttime temperatures before rain chances return late in the weekend.