Windy and Warmer Wednesday Afternoon

Southerly winds increase Wednesday afternoon as high pressure settles into the southeast and low pressure approaches from the northwest. 

Temperatures Tuesday afternoon warmed into the middle and upper 40s, with a few locations reaching 50 degrees!  Under mainly clear skies Tuesday night, temperatures will once again fall into the 20s before rising into the low 30s by Wednesday morning.  As high pressure slides to the southeast during the morning, low pressure will begin to move across the Upper Midwest pulling a warm front through Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  The difference in pressure between the two will cause winds to increase during the afternoon over Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.  Wind gusts will reach 30-35 mph throughout the day.

The increasing wind will also help push temperatures into the upper 50s, to near 60 degrees during the afternoon.  It should still be a nice afternoon to enjoy, as most of the rain will hold off until later in the evening.  But if you're thinking about doing any outdoor burning tomorrow, it will probably be a good idea to hold off because of the gusty winds.