Light snow showers arrive Sunday afternoon

 Saturday was a pleasantly cool day as temperatures finally cracked the 20-degree mark for the first time in over a week. Sunshine dominated the sky, making it feel warmer than the afternoon high of 24° would suggest. A continued clear sky overnight will drop out temperature back to the single digits before clouds slowly build in for Sunday morning.

Sunday will start on a cloudy note with temperatures back into the mid-20s by the afternoon. We will remain dry through at least the late morning, but a stray flurry may be possible as early as the afternoon. The evening will bring the best chance for some light but steady snow showers, finally working through the drier air above the surface.

Best coverage of any light snow will be centered between 6PM Sunday evening and 3AM Monday morning. Visibility may be limited down to a mile or less in the steadiest snow. A coating of snow may develop on roadways, causing some slick spots.

All told, most in the Stateline may be able to pick up around a half inch through Monday morning. A few locations in far NW Illinois may get slightly more than that, but 0.5" looks to be the cap for most of the area. This will be enough to coat untreated surfaces, so be cautious of slick spots beginning late Sunday evening!

Subtle warm up with light snow chances next week

 It's been a long streak of arctic cold over the last week plus in the Stateline. The last 8 days have featured an average high temperature of only 10.1°, nearly 20 degrees cooler than the average for this time of year! This also marked the 8th day in a row with temperatures failing to reach 20 degrees. That is the longest such streak since February of 2021, when Rockford spent 11 days below 20.

Saturday will finally break that streak, as our high will reach back into the 20s with a partly cloudy day. We will return much closer to average over the next week, with several days in the mid to upper 20s.

This "milder" pattern comes with an active series of clippers. The first of which will bring the potential for some light snow or flurries Sunday afternoon and evening. System number two may pass just South of us with higher pressure blocking abundant moisture from reaching this far North. A stronger system will pass us by late in the week, bringing yet another slim chance for snow Thursday into Friday, along with a sharper cool-down into next weekend.

Florida to see its deepest cold spell in years as Arctic air surges southward

Things may always seem sunny, warm, and problem-free down in the sunshine state. However, they too can deal with these powerful arctic blasts if the frigid air is able to spill south enough. 

As of this morning, the entire Florida panhandle as well as portions of central and southern Florida have been placed under an Extreme Cold Watch. This is set to go into effect Saturday evening and stretch into the Sunday morning/early afternoon. 

Inland areas will likely see temperatures dip down into the 30s, possibly well into the 20s. Now, when we talk about a rare event like this, wind chills won't come close to what we deal with here in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. However, wind chill values may drop into the teens across the panhandle with upper teens and low 20s possible closer to the Tampa Bay and Miami areas. You typically don't hear this all that often but bundle up Florida! 

Lake‑effect snow showers could drift into northern Illinois today

Thursday was more of the same from what we saw on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Lots of sunshine but well-below average temperatures. 

 

 

  

We'll actually see more cloud cover today as surface winds turn more to the northeast. This will not only drag moisture off of Lake Michigan but also provide us with a chance for snow showers. 

As of this morning, there are no winter weather alerts for the Stateline, though alerts currently hug the Lake Michigan shoreline into northwest Indiana. For us, we may see a snow shower or two push inland enough to reach the I-39 corridor. This will primarily be during the afternoon and early evening hours. 

Those who do get in on today's snow potential could see a dusting to .5". Closer to Lake Michigan, snow totals could range from 4"-6" around the Chicago area to 6-10" in northwest Indiana. 

 

 

  

Our best chance for snow holds off until the end of the weekend. Until then, we are dry but chilly with afternoon highs climbing back into the 20s. A clipper system and it's associated cold front will be behind the snow chances that arrive late Sunday evening into the early stages of Monday. It doesn't look impressive at the moment, though it may be enough to form a few slick spots come Monday morning. 

Lake effect snow could reach as far West as I-39 Friday

 It's not very often the atmosphere lines up enough to feed some lake effect snow showers as far West as Rockford, but we may get a few spotty snow showers this direction Friday. Late morning through early evening will be the main timing, centered around mid-day. The best chances for any lake effect snow will be mostly East of I-39, with higher chances toward the Lake. Total accumulations may amount to a half inch or even up to an inch where snow is the steadiest. Locations West of I-39 may only be able to pick up a dusting at most.

Initial bands of lake effect snow showers will work inland off Lake Michigan as early as 6-7AM, then push into parts of Walworth (WI) and McHenry Counties after 9AM. At first, the snow may be quite intense closer to the lake but will weaken substantially with Westward movement.

Most of the lake effect bands will be scattered in nature this far West, with most in the area remaining dry at any given time. Those who see any pockets of snow showers move in may experience a rapid drop in visibility and a quick coating of snow on the roadways. North-northeast wind gusts of 20-25 mph may cause some blowing snow as well. The main window for lake effect snow is centered around mid-day, between 11AM-3PM.

By 5-6PM, the band of snow showers will have weakened, with only a few light snow showers or flurries remaining in place. We will keep some patches of clouds through the night, but temperatures will again drop back to the single digits with subzero wind chills.

Temperature improvements to slowly spill in over the weekend

Yes, it's been the very same story, different day here in northern Illinois. Cold, cold, and more cold. And I'm sure you are all tired of the cold. But, we've seen plenty of sun the last few days! 

In fact, Rockford has come in with an average cloud cover of 30% or less the last three days. That in itself is a positive as it's typically difficult for us to get a stretch like this during the winter.   

More sunshine is on the table today as an area of high pressure strengthens over southern Canada. Expect a partly cloudy sky, though highs will end up similar to the last 3 days, landing in the mid teens. Wind chills could be as low as -15° to start, though values should wind up above 0° by the afternoon. 

 

    

Colder air sinking down with an upper level feature will keep us in the teens for Friday. There may also be the possibility for a few flurries and a snow shower during the first half of the day. Come Saturday, temperatures will finally climb out of the teens and make their way into the 20s. Forecast models then show this strong area of high pressure sinking down into the central plains, allowing dry conditions to persist into Sunday. Afternoon highs will end up a little warmer, peaking in the upper 20s. 

Nationally, the best chance for any snow will reside with a potent coastal low off the east coast. Areas from Florida, yes I said Florida, to the Carolinas to Long Island to far eastern New England will be in for additional snow accumulations. 

Locally, all remains the same as snow chances will be best with a weak clipper system late Sunday night into the early stages of Monday. 

Slow climb out of the deep freeze this weekend

 

Temperatures have really struggled to warm following the arctic cold front that swept across the Midwest late last Wednesday, causing numbers to tumble quickly Wednesday night. This sent us into a bitterly cold pattern with temperatures falling some 30-35 degrees *below* average late last week. It's been a very slow climb ever since with highs rising into the single digits over the weekend and teens the last few days. But each day we've managed to gain at least a few degrees, slowly bringing us back close to our average high of 29. And for the first time since late last week our wind chills were above zero Wednesday afternoon!

High pressure moving down from the Upper Midwest will keep skies mainly clear through most of the night, allowing temperatures to fall below zero. The current forecast has a low of -2 with wind chills around -10 to -15. Even though winds won't be as strong as what they've been the last few days, the sub-zero air temperature will help make it feel quite a bit cooler.

Partly cloudy skies will continue Thursday with temperatures rising into the mid-teens. Winds will turn down Lake Michigan late Thursday night and Friday producing lake-effect snow showers across northeast Illinois Friday morning. While most of that will have minimal impact on our weather there could be a few flurries, or even light snow showers, that move this far west giving us a quick dusting of snow by Friday night. Winds will then turn back around to the southwest late in the evening Saturday following the departure of high pressure to the south. This will gradually bring Sunday's high into the mid-20s, possibly reaching the 30s by Monday afternoon. A few clipper systems will keep the warmth from spreading too far, likely holding temperatures close to, if not slightly, below the average high of 30 degrees into the first few days of February.

Let the bitterly cold, sunny times continue

Let the cold times continue as today features similar conditions to Tuesday. However, winds won't be as potent, allowing wind chills to gradually make their way towards the 0° mark this afternoon. Though we could consider that an "improvement", I would still layer up from start to finish. 

  

A strong area of high pressure ejecting into the lower 48 from Canada will keep our weather pattern dry and cold into week's end. Expect Thursday and Friday to also begin with sub-zero temperatures, but then highs will end up in the low teens.  

This will also keep the main storm track well to our south, steering snow chances away during the rest of this very cold stretch. The best chance nationally will be a potent coastal low that could potentially brew up late Saturday night into Sunday. 

 

Areas across the southeast U.S and the Mid-Atlantic would be placed under the highest potential for snow accumulations. Again, this would all depend on the placement of the surface low itself.  

 

 

Locally, forecast models show a weak system diving into the Great Lakes Sunday into Monday. This could potentially bring the opportunity for scattered snow showers and minor accumulations. However, we will have to see how models trend over the next few days as changes can be expected. Otherwise, snow chances remain rather low with afternoon highs climbing back into the 20s starting Sunday.

Bitter cold, limited snow chances linger into week's end

For once, no cold weather alerts to discuss. However, a clipper system passing to our north will help slide a cold front through this morning. 

This will make for a breezy but cold Tuesday with highs landing in the low teens. Winds will be out of the northwest, gusting up to 30 mph at times. This will likely leave wind chill values below zero not only this morning, but also for the afternoon. 

Overnight, skies will clear, allowing temperatures to drop to or briefly fall below zero. Wednesday into Thursday, forecast models show another strong area of high pressure system building across the Canadian Prairies and the Upper Great Plains. 

 

  

This will keep flow out of the north and northwest into the second half of the week, allowing this bitter cold to linger. Wind chill values for both Wednesday and Thursday morning may end up as low as -15. Similar to today, highs Wednesday will peak in the low teens, with temperatures getting closer to the 10° mark Thursday and Friday. 

  

This high-pressure system will also have a second job, keeping the more active storm track displaced to our south and east. For us, this means bitter cold and low snow chances will linger into the weekend. For those on the east coast, this may bring the potential for another coastal storm to brew. 

This would come a week after a potent winter storm brought much of the Mid-Atlantic and New England a foot to a foot and a half of snow. 

Winds increase ahead of quick clipper Monday night

 

Sun-filled skies Monday afternoon didn't do much to warm temperatures across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Most stayed in the upper single digits and low teens, well below our average high of 29 degrees. Skies will remain clear through sunset as cloud cover slowly advances in from the northwest late this evening.

Initially, temperatures will drop this evening but as both cloud cover and southwest winds increase, temperatures will slowly start to rise through the night. Wind chills, unfortunately, will remain well below zero - ranging from -10 to -15 this evening and then -5 to -15 Tuesday morning. Not cold enough for any cold weather alerts - like Monday morning - but plenty cold so make sure you bundle up when heading out.

The increase in wind will likely also cause some blowing and drifting snow, especially in open and rural areas. Something to keep in mind if you're heading out later this evening, and then again Tuesday morning. A cold front will sweep across the Stateline during the morning, shifting winds to the northwest.

Northwest winds will gust around 30 mph during the morning. Temperatures won't rise much throughout the day, staying in the low teens with wind chills ranging from -5 to -10 during the afternoon. Skies will clear a bit Tuesday night which will bring temperatures back below zero and wind chills around -15 degrees Wednesday morning.  

Frigid Arctic air to stick around this week

High temperatures were stuck in the single digits over the weekend and now we are waking up to another frigidly cold morning across the area. 

The National Weather Service has a Cold Weather Advisory in place for all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This advisory will remain in place until noon as wind chill values during the first half of the day could be as low as -25°. That being said, layer up as frostbite could occur on any exposed skin within 30-35 minutes. 

Afternoon highs will remain in the single digits today, peaking around 8° under a partly cloudy sky. Sub-zero wind chills however, they aren't going anywhere as an organized wind will be present. 

Winds will be out of the northwest to start, then switching to the southwest by this afternoon with gusts upwards of 25 mph. This will allow wind chills values to remain below zero for the entirety of our Monday and Monday night.  

Unfortunately, this frigid cold will stick around for the entire work week as another potent cold front propels through the Stateline Tuesday. With this cold front may also be a chance for a passing flurry or snow shower, especially before mid-morning. From there, clouds and also an organized northwest wind will stay put, keeping afternoon highs in the low teens and wind chills in the single digits. 
 

Look for high temperatures to remain in the low teens Wednesday through Friday as a strong high pressure system takes hold of the central U.S. This will keep surface flow out of the northwest, allowing more Arctic and frigid air to spill southeastward into the western Great Lakes. Overnight lows for most nights will end up either around or below zero. 

Another bitterly cold night, cold weather advisory issued

 It is set to be another bitterly cold night across the Stateline, with temperatures dropping below zero and wind chills reaching between -20 and -25. Even a light breeze at 10-15 mph from the Northwest will cause the further drop in wind chills.

A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY will run from midnight tonight through noon Monday. While not nearly as dangerously cold as Friday morning was, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in under 30 minutes in these conditions. Be sure to bundle up as you head out in the morning!

While air temperatures will return back toward the upper single digits Monday afternoon, a light breeze will keep wind chills below zero through the afternoon. Afternoon high temperatures will range from 8-14 degrees through Friday, but afternoon wind chills may not get much higher than zero throughout the week.

Another burst of frigid air into Monday morning

 

Some good news this morning is that we're waking up to temperatures not in the negative's which is the first morning this has happened since Thursday! Cold air has sat strong over the Midwest for nearly 3 days now and doesn't look to leave quite yet. However today will be the one of the "warmer" days compared to the previous few as we'll see temperatures near double digits by this afternoon!

Some good news this morning is that we're waking up to temperatures not in the negative's which is the first morning this has happened since Thursday! Cold air has sat strong over the Midwest for nearly 3 days now and doesn't look to leave quite yet. However today will be the one of the "warmer" days compared to the previous few as we'll see temperatures near double digits by this afternoon!

Temperatures will gradually recover through the afternoon tomorrow thanks to winds shifting southwesterly which will promote an overall warming trend into Tuesday. Although we'll still be cold, we'll at least see temperatures back into the teens for both Tuesday and Wednesday when our next chances for snowfall will also arrive. 

Light snow showers Saturday evening, dusting possible through night

 It may not look like much, but some very light snow showers are making their way through the bitter arctic air and reaching the surface across Southern parts of the Stateline. Radar image below is current as of 5PM. Roughly South of a line from Savanna to Rockford to Woodstock, expect light snow showers. North of that line is dry for now.

You can also see the line of snow reaching the ground with the visibility map, with Rockford and areas Southeast seeing visibility near 7 miles or less. Any snow that falls will stick to the surface and cause slick roads given very cold surfaces.

Light snow will continue through the night before ending late Sunday morning. Steadiest bands of snow will remain South of Rockford. Most in the Stateline will not even see an inch of snow, but Southern fringes of the area closest to I-88 and toward Chicago suburbs may see an inch or two of very dry, powdery snow by Sunday afternoon.

Cold Weather Advisory Saturday morning, snow showers to follow

Although not as cold as yesterday, we're still expecting dangerous cold through the morning today lasting through the afternoon. Waking up this morning, Cold Weather Advisories remain in effect through midday as wind chill values will still be between -25° to -30° across the region. Thankfully our wind speeds today will remain weaker, however temperatures will still be below 0 most of the day.

Don't expect temperatures to reach back above 0° until after midday today as cloud cover through most of the morning will cause a slow rise in temperatures through the day. We can thank the cloud cover some though, if it wasn't for clouds we would most likely see our temperatures to start today even colder!

As we warm up through the afternoon today, a large low-pressure system will be tracking to our south producing snow, freezing rain, and mixed precipitation as far south as Texas today! Thanks to a high-pressure system nearby we won't see a ton of impacts from this system, but towards the late evening hours and into tomorrow morning a few snow showers will be possible. Higher accumulation totals from this system will remain well to our south, however areas south and east of Highway 20 near the I-88 corridor may see up to 2" in total snowfall.