While the East Coast begins to recover from catastrophic Hurricane Sandy, the Houston area can expect another nice day Tuesday as the morning chill gives way to an afternoon warm-up with mostly sunny skies.

After an overnight low of 42 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, area highs Tuesday are expected to be in the upper 60s to mid-70s, according to the National Weather Service.

Expect even warmer temperatures starting Wednesday, said meteorologist Phil Kuhn at the weather service's Houston-Galveston office in League City.

"Today will be the last day with highs in the 60s to mid-70s," Kuhn said. "Tomorrow it will rebound into the 80s."

Highs will be in the low 80s on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the mid-80s on Friday, he said.

Tuesday's forecast calls for clear skies overnight, followed by morning clouds that will burn off during the day, Kuhn said.

"This whole week we're going to see sunny skies," he said.

Although Sandy's punch has extended far inland, it's not affecting the Houston area, Kuhn said.

"It's too far away," he said.