The desert around Maricopa will feel the sun and freezing temperatures this weekend. Photo by Jim Headley

Light precipitation is expected in the Maricopa area Thursday then highs will be into the 50s through the weekend. Nightly lows are expected to dip below freezing Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Today is mostly sunny with a high near 60. Light and variable wind are becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight expect a 30 percent chance of showers and partly cloudy with a low around 35.

Friday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 53. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low around 27 with a west southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday is also likely to be sunny with a high near 54. Saturday night will be clear with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday has a sunny forecast with a high near 55 and calm wind. Sunday night, expect mostly clear skies with a low around 27.

That pattern is expected to continue through the rest of the year.