Friday's forecast: Fire risk elevated thanks to today's gusty wind

For the 3rd time this week, the northern lights shined beautifully across our skies. A G4 geomagnetic storm allowed the northern lights to be seen not once, not twice but three times overnight. 

Fortunately, the forecast panned out wonderfully as high pressure to our southeast kept skies fairly clear. Skies will be clear and sun-filled for the start of our Friday, though more clouds will gather up as we get into the afternoon ahead of our next cold front.

Also increasing will be our winds as winds will be warmer out of the southwest, gusting up to 30 mph at times. This will allow temperatures to climb to very summer-like levels, in the mid 80s. 

Today's wind will also play a huge role into the risk for spreading fires. The combination of said winds, the warm, dry air, and the worsening drought situation still poses a somewhat elevated threat for fire danger, particularly this afternoon. Considering that all of northern Illinois is now experiencing Moderate Drought conditions, any fires that do spark up will able to spread rapidly. Models then show this cold front sliding through early tonight, shifting winds back to the northeast. Despite the cooler wind, cloud cover will bring a warmer start to the day leaving most in the low 50s.

Some sun is in the works for Saturday, though an easterly breeze will leave afternoon temperatures struggling to climb out of the 60s. Changes continue to filter in on Sunday following a stronger cold front. This frontal passage will help unlock a more organized round of cooler air, leaving temperatures in the low 60s Sunday, then mid 50s early next week. Milder times follow next week's cool down  Afternoon highs will slowly climb back towards may return to the 70s by Thursday and 80s aren’t out of the question by the end of next week.