Showers return for some Wednesday night

 

Despite the cloud cover Wednesday afternoon temperatures were still able to warm to 60 degrees for the second day in a row! The average high for late February should be in the mid-30s, so we are well above that. In fact, month-to-date it is the warmest February on record with an average temperature of 35.3 degrees!

A few light rain showers have been showing up on radar, but with the drier air still in place not much of that is actually reaching the ground. While a sprinkle or two can't be ruled out through the evening, most of the region will remain dry.

A better chance for rain, and even a few thunderstorms, will occur late Wednesday night with the arrival of low pressure. It's possible that some of the stronger storms could produce large hail, and this is why a marginal risk is in place for central and east-central Illinois.

Closer to home the storm threat will remain limited, but a few rumbles can't be ruled out across some of our southern counties. Any shower activity that

develops will be moving east by Noon Thursday, with skies quickly turning partly cloudy into the afternoon. The cold air behind the front lags a bit which means afternoon temperatures Thursday will warm into the mid-50s.

By Friday the colder air (cold for this winter season) will be approaching, and while afternoon highs are likely to reach the mid-40s, a drop in temperatures can be expected by the evening. A few flurries or even a light snow shower can't be ruled

out Friday afternoon and evening.