Work week ends with sunshine, low severe risk Saturday

Thursday's storm threat across N. Illinois was limited thanks to a slight cap in the atmosphere. 

All of the storm reports from yesterday were in the form of hail reports, stretching from Macomb, IL to Interstate 80 to the Chicago metro.

Thankfully, Friday features a break from not only severe potential but also from rain in general as high pressure files in behind last night's frontal passage. 

This will also skies to become more sun-filled by the afternoon, leaving highs in the low 70s. In fact, this afternoon's high of 73° will mark the 7th straight day where the Rockford Airport has observed a high temperature at or above the 70° mark. 

Skies remain mostly clear overnight. That, along with light winds will allow the radiational cooling process to be more effective, landing overnight lows in the upper 40s come Saturday morning. 

Ahead of a secondary and weaker cold front, winds turn to the southeast at first, then to the southwest. This warmer wind will bring highs upward for the start of the weekend, landing in the upper 70s. Not does this result in another spike in temperatures, moisture levels increase as well.

This will pave the way for a round of scattered rain and storms Saturday afternoon and evening. In a similar fashion to Thursday, Saturday's storm threat comes with a low severe risk.

Earlier this morning, the Storm Prediction Center placed areas along and south of the IL/WI border under a level 1 Marginal Risk. 

Any storm that does become severe tomorrow will be capable of strong winds and large hail. Tornado threat is extremely low as spin in the atmosphere will be non-existent. Rain chances should wrap up quick Saturday evening, leaving us with a decent amount of sunshine for Sunday. Highs will remain consistent, peaking in the low 70s. It won't be until Tuesday that an even stronger system brings our next chance for rain and storms.