NATCHEZ — Mother Nature may put a slight damper on activities, but the weather should be good for most of the weekend as dozens of hot-air balloons take to the skies for the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

Ernest Ethridge, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service who travels to Natchez each year to handle daily weather predictions before balloon flights, said rain expected to hit Natchez tonight and Thursday should clear out by the start of the balloon race Friday morning.

Skies should be clear for the Friday morning flight and the balloon glow Friday night, Ethridge said. The front headed this way, he said, will bring cooler temperatures for the weekend.

The front will stall out south of Natchez, Ethridge said, then try to come back north.

“I think right now that will happen initially Saturday afternoon,” he said. “We should be able to get in the activities Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening are in question, as far as if showers and thunderstorms will remain south of Natchez.”

Any stormy weather should clear out by Sunday morning and stay clear for Sunday balloon race events, Ethridge said.

Temperatures should top out at around 70, Ethridge said, and get down to the upper 40s and 50s.

Balloons are scheduled to lift off at 7:30 a.m. Friday for a media flight. Gates will open at the Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens on the bluff at 6 p.m. Friday for the 7 p.m. balloon glow, which will be followed by fireworks at 7:30 p.m. and live music from Cheap Tequila from 8-10 p.m.

The balloons are scheduled to take flight again at 7:30 a.m. Saturday for a competitive flight. Festival gates will open at 11 a.m., and live music from Red Hot Brass Band will start at noon, followed by The Ramblin’ Letters, Shannon McNally.

Weather permitting, the balloons will fly at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Bonerama will start the music up again at 5:30 p.m., followed by Anders Osborne at 7:30 p.m. and headliner Cowboy Mouth at 9:30 p.m.

A balloon flight is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Gates will open at noon, and the Concordia Parish Talented Music Program will perform at 1 p.m. and Brent Cobb at 2:45 p.m.

The final flight is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., and country music artist Neal McCoy is set to take the stage at that time.

Tickets are available at the Historic Natchez Foundation, the Natchez Visitor Reception Center or at the gates this weekend.