Freeze potential tonight

A Freeze Watch has been issued for all counties in northern Illinois as well as southern Wisconsin beginning tonight and lasting through Friday morning. 

Canadian high pressure currently in Ontario will build southward across the western Great Lakes later today and tonight.  As it does winds will turn light and skies will remain mainly clear.  This combination has the potential for freezing, or even below freezing, temperatures across a good portion of the area.  In fact, temperatures could drop as low as the upper 20s in some outlying areas.  Now, it's not uncommon to experience freezing temperatures this time of year but the record warmth we had during the month of March has lead to a very early start to the growing season.  Because of that, many flowers and plants have bloomed almost six weeks early!  This could be a big concern as the cold sensitive plants could be damaged or even killed if below freezing temperatures occur.  Be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect those plants.