Average first freeze felt within the first couple weeks of October

Warm weather the past couple of weeks has had many asking if there are any signs of our first freeze on the horizon.  Short term - no.  Long term - possibly.  When looking back over the past 30 years of data, on average, the first freeze in northern Illinois occurs around the 10th of October - or within the first week to week in a half.  The first hard freeze (28° or colder) usually occurs around the 18th of October.  The forecast through the weekend calls for above average temperatures for both highs and lows but there have been some signs that a return back to normal, or slightly below below, may occur sometime next week. 

After Saturday's cold front another, stronger, storm system looks to develop and move into the Midwest by the middle of next week bringing what could be a decent amount of rain, but cooler weather to follow.  Keep in mind this is over a week away and things are likely going to change regarding the speed, timing, intensity, moisture and amount of cold air behind - but it does look like a pattern shift within the jet stream will occur.  Highs next week may only stay in the 50s versus the 70s we've had lately.  Overnight lows could drop into the low to middle 30s.  Average highs next Monday should be around 64° and then drop to 62° by next Friday.  So if we do in fact fall into the 50's we really won't be that far off from where we should be this time of year.