Windy for St. Patrick's Day, fire risk elevated

Northern Illinois was subjected to a bit of everything during the final weekend of winter. Again, this is very common at this point in the year as we continue to fluctuations in winter cold to spring warmth. 

What's also good about being this late in the winter season is that any snow that accumulates won't last long thanks to the higher sun angle. And that's what we saw occur on Sunday after picking up a whopping 4.1" at the Rockford Airport. 

Further meltage is expect during St. Patrick's Day as mild temperature settle in. This is all thanks to a gusty southwesterly wind and partial sun, leaving afternoon highs in the upper 50s. Similar to last Friday, our first risk is elevated, especially west of I-39. 

 

 

For that, the National Weather Service has placed Jo-Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, and Whiteside Counties under a RED FLAG WARNING. This will run from 11AM to 8PM Monday as today's strong winds and low relative humidity will allow any fires to rapidly spread. AVOID burning plans today. 

Winds will ease up this evening, remaining light but warm overnight. Lows will fall on either side of the 40° mark by Tuesday morning.

Tuesday will also be breezy, though winds will be out of the southeast and not as strong. The combination of that along with Tuesday's warmer start will leave afternoon highs in the upper 60s, roughly 15° to 18° above mid-March standards.