Wednesday, September 11, 2024

How Hurricane Francine will impact the Stateline's weather this weekend

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana Wednesday afternoon as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds up to 100 mph. The hurricane will quickly weaken into a post-tropical depression through the weekend as it gradually works its way North closer to the Stateline.

Our weather will be impacted by the remnants of hurricane Francine. The low pressure represents the remnants of the hurricane as it moves toward Southern Illinois by the weekend. Meanwhile, high pressure will develop in the Northeast, creating a blocking pattern. This will prevent the remnant low from making its way very far North. As a result, the highest moisture will also remain out of our area, keeping rain chances limited compared to those in the Southern half of the state.

Locally, only scattered showers will be the story Saturday and Sunday. Higher coverage may be possible Sunday as the remnant low is closest, but a general lack of forcing and moisture will keep shower coverage limited compared to areas downstate. Sunday may provide a little more coverage compared to Saturday. Some may stay dry both days with the lower coverage of rain.

Temperatures will not be impacted that much by the remnant hurricane but will be a touch lower over the weekend with thicker cloud cover. Highs will remain in the 80s throughout the entire week, remaining above the average high of 77°.

The long-term outlook is favoring very high confidence in continued warmth, with greater than 90% confidence in above average temperatures between the 17th-21st, per the Climate Prediction Center forecast. The average high in Rockford will fall to around 70° by the end of the month.

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