FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – We will be dealing with clouds and windy conditions on Monday. South winds will gust to 30 mph late in the afternoon, and the mercury will top out in the upper 60s. Look for low-to-mid 70s for areas to the west of the Metroplex. The winds are sponsored by a strengthening storm system in the Panhandle.

That storm system will get a push from even more energy coming out of Southern California. This will bring storm chances to our region on Fat Tuesday. Mixed clouds, along with windy conditions again are forecast for Tuesday. Storms could impact areas of North Texas — mainly east of the Interstate-35 corridor. Storms will largely miss the Metroplex, but those that hit could become strong-to-severe.

Here’s how the rain chances stack up:
West of the Interstate-35 Corridor: 0-10 percent
Fort Worth: 20 percent
Dallas: 30 percent
East of the Interstate:35 Corridor: 40-50 percent

These storms set up North Texas for cooler air on Ash Wednesday – possibly the last shot of cold air for this season. After conditions dipped below the freezing mark Sunday morning, Wednesday and Thursday will bring more chilly temperatures in the 30s. It is below seasonal norms for North Texas, however, the freeze is not expected to be widespread.

But to repeat – this could be the last time this season that the area deals with freezing temperatures in the morning. That is usually worth a “woo hoo” or two from North Texans, especially after the particularly frigid and icy conditions we have seen this year.

This week’s see-saw pattern will be back on the upswing by this weekend, with temperatures into the 70s for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Saturday. That should make for comfortable times while ‘sportin’ the green,’ but conditions could get a little breezy toward the end of the day.

Another cold front is slated to arrive in North Texas early next Monday. Right now, it looks to first arrive late on Sunday evening, impacting North Texas with showers and storms.