Showers return tonight, wintry mix potential still on the table this weekend

Wednesday was another windy day across northern Illinois, though it did help temperatures climb into the low 60s for a 3rd straight day. 

Honestly, I'll take the 60s at this point in the calendar year if it means we have to deal with a little wind. It just puts a damper on those beautiful fall colors that are still around the Stateline.

 

Winds remain a top weather headline for Thursday but thankfully won't be as strong as Wednesday. They will be more oriented out of the south and at their peak, could gust up to 25 mph. This will allow highs to remain mild, leaving Stateline locales in the upper 50s under partly cloudy conditions. 

     

Clouds will then thicken up this evening as our next cold front approaches. With this cloud cover will be the chance for showers, possibly an isolated storm into early Friday morning. Rain chances come to a close a few hours before sunrise, leaving us fairly dry but breezy for the rest of Friday. 

Forecast models show another cold front diving into the region late Friday afternoon and evening. With this frontal passage may be just enough moisture for an isolated sprinkle or shower. Temperature-wise, we get to enjoy one more mild day before a significant change in our weather pattern arrives this weekend. Expect highs Friday afternoon to wind up in the low 60s.     

We are still monitoring a compact system for the Saturday afternoon - Saturday night time frame. A glance at this morning's model runs showed a slight shift to the south with the overall track. However, precipitation will extent north enough for us to see a few rain showers Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for a few snowflakes to mix in later in the evening. Now, if we do end up seeing more Arctic air wrapping into the surface low, that would favor more wintry weather. Accumulations, IF ANY, would be extremely minor. 

Following the departing storm system, our first taste of cold Arctic air will spill in. This will leave overnight lows in the upper 20s Saturday, afternoon highs in the mid 30s Sunday, and overnight lows in the low 20s for Monday. Gusty winds will also be present during this stretch, leaving wind chills values in the chilly teens for Sunday and Monday morning. BRRRR! So if you have anywhere to be, make sure to PACK ON THOSE LAYERS!