Strong Winds through Thursday

Wind speeds will increase following the passage of a cold front Tuesday afternoon.  Temperatures throughout the day stayed in the middle 30's, but are quickly falling into the teens west of Rockford now that the colder air is beginning to move east following the cold front.

There may be a few flurries along the leading edge of the cold air mass, but skies likely will just remain cloudy.  There will be pockets of clearing taking place overnight into Wednesday morning, but the bigger difference we'll notice Tuesday evening will be the winds.

Wind gusts between 30 and 35 mph will occur overnight pushing overnight lows into the low teens and wind chills below zero.  (See the previous post for expected wind chills the next couple of days.)

The difference in pressure between low pressure to the east and high pressure to the northwest will be strong enough to keep wind gusts to 30 mph Wednesday afternoon, too.  With high pressure moving closer Thursday afternoon and evening the winds will begin to lighten up.  As some school districts get ready to head back to school following Christmas vacation, just make sure you plan accordingly and dress appropriately.  It will feel A LOT different Wednesday morning than what it did Tuesday morning.