Temperatures plummet this weekend as first taste of fall arrives

 It was a warm and windy day in the Stateline as high temperatures reached into the low 80s for many, including a high of 82° in Rockford! But some big changes are on the way, and it all starts with our upper levels of the atmosphere. A big dip in the jet stream, called a trough, will push through over the weekend, bringing with it a much cooler air mass.

A series of cold fronts will come along that trough. The first of which comes in as a dry cold front Friday evening, then stall to the South Saturday afternoon. This front will produce a very strong temperature gradient, with highs well into the 80s downstate and near 70° across the Stateline. Behind that front, much cooler air settles in for Sunday and Monday.

The weekend will finally feel a lot more like fall, with highs in the 60s both days and a cool breeze to strong wind both days. ENE winds gust to 20 mph Saturday with the front stalled to our South, while Sunday brings strong gusts of 30-35 mph from the NW as much cooler air rushes in. Monday and Tuesday will feature highs in the 50s!

Afternoon highs aren't the only things feeling cooler either. Overnight lows will dip into the 30s for a few days in a row, including near the freezing mark Monday and Tuesday nights. This could bring the first frost and freeze to the area, so make sure to plan on protecting any sensitive plants early next week!

Rain chances aren't all that impressive over the next week, but we may see a few small chances along some of the fronts. That stalled first front may produce some shower activity Saturday evening, but highest chances will remain East of the area with better moisture quality. Isolated sprinkles may be possible Sunday and Monday afternoons as the core of the trough pivots overhead. In situations like this, sometimes even very shallow cloud decks can produce a few sprinkles.

 

Any rainfall we do see will not amount to much. Our rainfall deficit will continue to grow over the course of next week, but we may see a pattern change favoring more rainfall near the following weekend. Stay tuned!