Big temperature swings over the weekend

We've had quite a few ups and downs with the temperatures lately.  Most notably is what occurred late last week and into the start of the weekend.  Highs Thursday reached 49 degrees, 80 degrees on Friday and then 46 degrees on Saturday.  What happened?!?

It's important to remember that during the transition seasons of spring and fall, we can get fairly large temperature swings.  But temperatures that change over 30 degrees from one day to the next don't happened that often.  In fact, it's only happened two other times in Rockford since records began back in 1906!  Wow!

A very strong warm front was responsible for the 31 degree temperature climb from Thursday into Friday.  This also came with a gusty southwest wind.  Late Friday night a cold front moved  south with winds switching around to the northeast.  Usually not that big of a deal, but this was a pretty strong cold front.  Winds following the front shifted around to the northeast, coming in off of Lake Michigan.  Water temperatures this time of year are in upper 30's and can have a big influence on air temperatures, especially for those locations near the lake.  Low pressure was also passing to the south not allowing much opportunity to warm due to the persistent northeast wind, cloud cover and periodic rain.

Sunday was a little warmer with surface winds shifting around to the southwest.  Highs reached the middle and upper 50's.

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A Sunny Week Ahead

We got a little bit of a break from the rain earlier this afternoon, but it will stay with us as we move through the night.  However, much less rain is expected for the overnight tonight as that low pressure system will not be in a good position to pull in a good amount of moisture.  The low level jet will keep our temperatures warmer for the overnight, which is a channel of warm air that is most active during the late night hours.  This, combined with the heavy cloud cover overnight, will allow our temperatures to be warmer than what we saw during the day today.  Heavy cloud cover overnight helps to keep temperatures closer to what was seen during the day, but then you add in the low level jet and you actually see temperatures getting even warmer as you move through the night.

Another low is developing in Texas, and will push some moisture into our area tomorrow.  This, combined with the low that's already over our area, will increase instability and give us one more round of rain before it moves out late Sunday night.  The low in Texas will track south of us, but a weak warm front associated with it will move a small amount of moisture into our area.  This gives us a slight of chance for rain Monday evening.

After Monday, the weather stays calm for the rest of the week with sunny skies.  We cool down slightly for Tuesday and Wednesday, but return to average at the end of the week due to the calm weather.

A Rainy Weekend with a Warmup

Temperatures are going to be very warm today as we are expected to climb into the mid-70s for our afternoon high.  We'll also have partly cloudy skies for the afternoon, giving us a good amount of sunshine to accompany those warm temperatures.  The low pressure system to our west has strengthened quite a bit and is pulling warm air into our area at a faster rate.  However, the strengthening of that low allows for a chance for thunderstorms to occur in the evening.  Showers will occur for the overnight, but the chance for thunderstorms dies down as we head into the night.  The rain continues into the weekend, but so do the warm temperatures as we will be in the 60°s this weekend.

Be on the lookout for slow moving vehicles

You'll notice over the next few weeks an increase in farm vehicles on the roads now that the temperatures are beginning to warm. 

Earlier in the week a truck hit a tractor because the driver of the truck didn't see the tractor at night.  We are just under a month away from spring planting and it's important to be on the lookout for farm vehicles on the roads.  Be patient and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. 

It can be a little frustrating some times when you get behind one of these vehicles.  But just remember they want to get to their destination just as much as you do.  Pay special attention at night and when coming over hills in the road.

Increasing thunderstorm threat Thursday evening

7:10pm Update:  Storms have quickly moved east Thursday evening, even leaving us with a little sunshine back to the west.  The remainder of the evening with stay quiet with only a slight chance of additional showers/storms redeveloping late tonight.

6:50pm Update:  No active warnings in place, but some of the stronger storms are capable of producing nickel sized hail.  I have received many reports of pea sized hail with the storm that just moved through Winnebago County.  So heads up for folks in Boone County.  These are fast moving storms and we should be mostly clear by 9pm/10pm.

6:00pm Update:  Strong thunderstorm over western Stephenson County could produce half inch sized hail.  This storm is moving east at 55 mph.  Cities impacted are Warren, Cederville, Davis, Dakota, Winslow, Rock City and Orangeville.





A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Green County in southern Wisconsin until 6:30pm. 

This storm is located near Argyle and moving east at 50 mph.  Cities in the path of the storm include: Monroe, Brodhead, Darlington, Belleville, New Glarus, Monticello and Juda.  The biggest threat with any storms that move through will be quarter sized (or larger) hail.  Move indoors and stay away from windows until this storm has passed.

Spring is on the Move

Temperatures will start warming up drastically as we head into tomorrow, with highs looking to be in the upper 60°s.  This is due to a low pressure system out to our west, which is pushing warm air and moisture into our area.  This process will continue as we head into the weekend, but this will also increase our chances for rain as well.  We have a small chance for rain tonight due to a weak warm front that will move through, but the main thing that the front will do is keep our temperatures fairly warm for the overnight in the low 40°s.  The low will strengthen during the day tomorrow, which will increase our chances for rain in the overnight.  We could even see some thunderstorms in the evening due to the low strengthening.  The rain chances taper off as we head into the weekend, with the majority of the rain being seen Friday night.  The rain chances diminish Sunday night, but those warm temperatures stay with us for the whole weekend, before we slightly cool to the 50°s to start the work week.

A Warm and Rainy Weekend

A low pressure system out west is strengthening and moving towards our area, which is why we will have mostly cloudy skies for the overnight.  As the low approaches our temperatures will gradually warm up as we head into the weekend, with highs expected to be in the 60°s.  However, as the low approaches it will bring a warm front through our area Thursday night.  The front will be weak Thursday night, but we can't rule out a light rainfall.  The front will strengthen into Friday, which is what will help push our temperatures into the upper 60°s for the high Friday afternoon.  As the front strengthens it will increase our chances for rain as we move into the weekend.  The rain is expected to move in Friday night and will stay with us until late Sunday night.  However, the warm temperatures stay with us into early next week.