Rain ends early, 80° weather once again a possibility next week

For the first time in literally forever, northern Illinois was given the opportunity for a widespread soaking rain. And boy did it pan out nicely. 

A complex of showers and non-severe thunderstorms left most locales in the .50"- 1.0" range. Expect there to be a lingering shower or two before conditions dry out after mid-morning. 

High pressure sliding in behind this morning's cold front will help gradually dry our skies, leaving skies partly to at times mostly sunny this afternoon. Despite the sunshine, a cool northwest breeze will limit highs to the low 60s. The weather will also cooperate for Friday Night Lights. You just will need a jacket or a sweatshirt as temperatures look to fall into the upper 40s by game time! Light winds and mostly clear skies will be in place overnight, setting the stage for a rapid cool down that will leave most in the upper 30s

We remain dry over the weekend as this area of high pressure moves into the Great Lakes. Afternoon highs will start off at seasonable levels Saturday, climbing back into the low 60s Sunday. The weekend's upward trend in temperatures will further ramp up next week as flow turns more out of the southwest. 

This will help usher in a very dry, warm air mass into the region jumping afternoon highs back into the upper 60s Monday, and even near the 80° mark Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds will be a big issue both days as it will elevate our fire danger so please don‘t burn if you don’t have to.