February to begin on a unseasonably warm note

Cloud cover Tuesday limited our full potential to efficiently warm, but the Rockford Airport still was able to squeeze in a 40-degree high. 

In better news, similar warmth is to be expected as we close the books on January and begin February. 

Clouds kick off the final day of January, with a quick decrease in cloud cover occurring as we approach the mid-morning hours. This, along with southwesterly wind will allow temperatures to reach the low 40s for the second consecutive day.

Skies remain partly cloudy overnight, with lows falling into the low 30s. Clouds will then be quick to blanket our skies by mid-day Thursday as a backdoor cold front approaches from the north-northeast. 

Despite the upward trend in cloud cover, flow out of the southwest should continue into the late-afternoon and early-evening hours. This will allow highs to peak in the mid to upper 40s. 

With the little to no atmospheric moisture to work with, Thursday's backdoor cold front will slide through dry. However. it will shift our surface flow to the north and northeast for Friday. This will likely drop high temperatures a few degrees, rounding out the week in the low 40s. 

As previously discussed, a strong blocking ridge of high pressure is to set up over the central U.S. This will keep our weather pattern extremely dry and mild as we jump into February. 

High temperatures over the weekend are to peak near the 50-degree mark, with low to mid 40s in the works for the beginning of next week. 

While this type of weather pattern will help river levels in the long run, flooding is possible along the Rock River in the short term. 

Mainly due to ice jams. A flood advisory is in effect until 10:45AM for the portion of the Rock that lies near the Grand Detour area. 

Minor flooding has been observed upstream in the White Oak subdivision west of the Grand Detour area. A Flood Watch is in effect for the portion of the Rock that lies near the small town of Como. This will be in place until further notice as ice jams may cause flooding concerns into the first week of February. Those who are placed under the flood watch are to monitor river levels closely and take action if flooding occurs.