Pressure Gradient Brings Breezy Days

You'll be feeling the wind the next few days as the Stateline area is in between systems. A strong low pressure system - in terms of August standards - will continue to pass to the north of us into the northern Great Lakes and southern Canada - keeping any rain a little farther north of us. As the low moves east, a high pressure system building to the southwest will also slowly shift to the east. This creates a strong pressure gradient across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Whenever there is a big change in pressure over a small area, a pressure gradient is generated. The greater the pressure difference over a smaller area will create a greater gradient, while a small change in pressure over a larger area will generate a smaller gradient. This gradient or change in pressure is what's giving us the stronger wind gusts today. Winds will gust up to 30mph from the west/northwest this afternoon.

 The next couple days will also be breezy at times, but not as windy as today. The low pressure system will also bring in cooler and dry air in from Canada - giving us a fall like feel through the majority of the week. High temperatures will be about 5-10° below average through the week with temperatures back into the 80's over the weekend.