Milder air flows across northern Illinois as cold air remains locked up north

 

We continue to climb from the cold that has held strong across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin the last few weeks. Temperatures Monday afternoon warmed into the upper 30s and low 40s, with Rockford's high reaching 41 degrees, our second 40 degree day this month (last on was 42 on Friday).

Cloud cover continues to roll in ahead of a warm front currently draped across the Midwest. Behind the front temperatures have warmed into the 50s and 60s over parts of Iowa, and the 70s out in the Plains! While it won't get *that* warm locally, above average temperatures are expected through the week.

For the rest of Monday night skies will remain mostly cloudy as a warm front draws closer to the Stateline. We may see a sprinkle or two from the front, but most will remain dry. It will, however, keep our temperatures mild overnight with most locations remaining in the 30s. The warmer start will help temperatures rise back into the low 40s, despite a cold front sweeping through first thing Tuesday morning.

Northwest winds will increase, gusting at times 25-30 mph. This will keep chills in the 20s during the morning and then low to mid 30s for the afternoon. Skies will turn partly cloudy for the afternoon as high pressure builds in across the Midwest and Plains, paving the way for a mostly sunny sky Wednesday.

Temperatures will warm into the upper 30s, close to 40 degrees Wednesday afternoon. Drier air from high pressure will still be somewhat in control as a weak low-pressure system moves in across the Midwest. We may see a few light snow showers from this low mid-day Thursday before clearing out Friday morning. If we were to see any sticking snow, it wouldn't amount to much more than a few tenths of an inch.