Any outdoor plans will be foiled for the next couple of days as we receive significant and welcome rain.

Forecasts call for 2 to 4 inches of rain -- in isolated areas up to 5 inches -- spread over several days. Flash flooding isn't a concern, but we may see some river flooding for the first time since April 2011.

A front has stalled just north of us, and will linger, giving us several chances for rain. Nothing severe is expected.

Wednesday, a new low pressure system from the Gulf will form and track along that front, giving us our best chance for rain.

Towards the end of the week, we'll have drier and colder weather. We may drop to freezing temperatures Saturday morning, so be prepared to protect early growth vegetation.

Meteorologist John Wetherbee, CBM