A stretch of drier and more seasonable early-October weather is settling into northwest Georgia following the passage of a cold front, but forecasters say rain chances will return by the weekend as Gulf moisture begins moving back into the region.

Clouds will gradually give way to mostly sunny skies today, with a high near 80 degrees. North winds around 10 mph could gust as high as 20 mph at times. Some lingering low clouds, patchy fog and drizzle may remain around parts of north Georgia early in the day before conditions continue to improve.

Skies will become mostly clear tonight as cooler and noticeably drier air filters into the area. The overnight low is expected to fall to around 57, with north winds between 5 and 10 mph and occasional gusts up to 20 mph.

The National Weather Service says Tuesday should feel much more like a typical early-October day across northwest Georgia. Sunshine returns in full, humidity levels drop and the high will reach around 81 degrees. Tuesday night will be clear and comfortable, with temperatures falling to around 53.

Dry weather is expected to continue through the remainder of the workweek. Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 83, followed by clear skies Wednesday night and a low near 54. Thursday remains sunny and a little warmer with a high near 86, while Friday will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching around 85.

Overnight lows through the period will generally remain in the 50s, making for noticeably cooler mornings compared with the humid conditions seen ahead of the front.

The pattern begins to change over the weekend as moisture increases from the Gulf of Mexico. Saturday brings a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 80. Rain chances increase to 40 percent Saturday night.

By Sunday, showers and thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread, with a 60 percent chance of precipitation and a cooler high near 76.

Forecasters are also monitoring an area in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where conditions could become favorable for tropical development. At this point, the primary concern for north and central Georgia is an increase in Gulf moisture and a return to a more unsettled weather pattern rather than any specific tropical impacts.

The National Weather Service says extensive cloud cover and the possible development of a cooler-air wedge could hold temperatures down over the weekend. Breezy conditions may also develop, depending on the eventual track and strength of the Gulf low-pressure system and its interaction with high pressure to the north.

Residents can expect several pleasant fall days before the next opportunity for widespread rain arrives this weekend.