Brief Warm-Up for Thursday, Temps Fall into Friday

Brief Warm-Up:

Take a good look folks! First off, we're not waking up to a wind chill advisory this morning. Secondly, the entire region is waking up to MUCH, and I mean MUCH warmer temperatures thanks to a "warm" south/southwest wind overnight. 

As a matter of fact, temperatures compared to 24 hours ago are starting off 30° to 40° warmer, with most sitting in the low 20s. Although wind chill values aren't dangerously low like Wednesday morning, you still want to make sure to put on an extra layer or two before heading out. Our southwest wind is also contributing to single-digit wind chills early on. 

A cold front sliding through during the mid-day to early afternoon hours will keep the cloud cover around, as well as the breeze. The only difference being the wind direction, as winds after the frontal passage will shift to the northwest. Gusts at times are expected to peak at 20-25 mph. 

A few isolated flurries and snow showers will also be possible, but we won't see much if anything for accumulation. Our snow chances linger into the early hours of tonight, with skies gradually clearing into the early stages of our Friday. That, along with the cold air rushing in behind today's cold front will set the stage for a much cooler day to round out the current work week. 

Colder Friday:

With a very dry and cold atmosphere in place Friday morning, temperatures look to fall on either side of the 0-degree mark. Winds won't be as strong as what we're walking out to this morning, but it will be just enough to place wind chills well below-zero. It's safe to say you'll need to pack on those layers before going about your day. Despite plenty of sunshine throughout the day, highs will be limited to the low to mid teens. It's looking more than likely we'll see temperatures at or below zero by Saturday morning.

Coldest temperatures in nearly 3 years Wednesday morning

Temperatures tumbled quickly early Wednesday, falling to the double digits below zero area wide.  Rockford officially fell to -18 degrees, our coldest morning low since the end of January, 2019.  While winds were mostly light through the morning with high pressure centered over northwest Illinois, wind chills in a few locations dropped as low as -40 degrees.  

That -40 degree wind chill occurred in Rochelle,

while the air temperature dropped to -23 degrees!  Wind chills remained below zero throughout the afternoon as temperatures struggled to climb much above 10 degrees once again.  We will see the numbers fall slightly Wednesday evening but as southwest winds increase through the night, temperatures will actually warm into Thursday morning.  The warm up will continue into Thursday afternoon with highs rising close to 30 degrees.  Another strong cold front will move through by the evening, bringing lows down to around 1 degree Friday morning and only into the mid teens Friday afternoon.

Wednesday Kicks Off Dangerously Cold, Brief Improvements Arrive Thursday

Dangerously Cold Start:

BE PREPARED FOLKS! If you thought Tuesday started off bitterly cold, this morning is starting off even colder. With a perfect environment in place overnight, temperatures across the region were able to bottom out or rapidly drop well-below zero. 

This marks the coldest morning in Rockford since the Arctic outbreak in late-January 2019. Although winds remained light overnight, it was still enough to drag down our wind chill values into the -20° to -30° range, prompting the issuance of another Wind Chill Advisory. Similar to the one from Tuesday, this one includes the entire viewing area and will be in effect up until mid-day.

How to Prepare? 

The dangerously cold air in place this morning has been cold enough for multiple school districts across the region to close. But, for those who still have to go to school or if you're heading into work, make sure to really pack on those layers. 

Preferably 3 or more layers will help you stay warm and insulated. To avoid getting frostbite, make sure those extra layers cover any exposed skin. It won't take long for signs of frostbite to become apparent, especially with wind chills as low as they are this morning. The worst of the wind chill temperatures are expected to occur just before sunrise, easing a little into the mid-morning hours. Wind chills will still remain below zero through the afternoon as southwest winds pick up. 

Changing Pattern: 

Unfortunately, the sunshine and warmer southwest winds don't spell a warmer forecast for us. Under a few passing clouds this afternoon, highs for most will struggle to climb out of the single-digits. Now, tonight's low will be achieved early in the night as our southwest winds will allow temperatures to climb into Thursday morning. 

Along with the climbing temperatures, clouds are expected to gather up as our next system dives into the Upper Midwest. This will help bring a cold front into the region sometime during the early to mid-afternoon hours Thursday. Ahead of the front, southwest winds will pull in more seasonable temperatures, with most of our spots landing in the upper 20s and low 30s. 

Forecast models do show enough low-level moisture to warrant a chance for a few afternoon and evening snow showers. Impacts to the evening commute are not expected. Behind Thursday's front, another wave of Arctic air briefly slides in for Friday. Highs to round out the work week look to peak in the low to mid teens, with overnight lows falling below 0° by Saturday morning.

Coldest temperatures so far this Winter expected Wednesday morning

 

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY is once again in effect for all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin as dangerously cold wind chills are expected across much of the Midwest and Northern Plains Wednesday morning. Wind chills as low as -30 degrees are possible in some locations throughout the area, meaning frostbite can occur within just 30 minutes.

A strong Arctic high pressure system currently moving through southwest Minnesota will slide closer to northwest Illinois by sunrise Wednesday. Temperatures didn't warm much Tuesday afternoon, with highs struggling to make it to 10 degrees. It wasn't quite record cold, but definitely cold enough as the high in Rockford only reached 8 degrees. The record cold high temperature for January 25th is 3 degrees set back in 1972.

Clear skies and relatively light winds are expected Tuesday night sending temperatures tumbling quickly below zero by 6pm/7pm. Northwest winds still be around 10 mph which will push wind chill values during the evening anywhere between 10-20 degree below zero.

The worst of the wind chill temperatures are expected to occur just before sunrise, easing a little by 8am/9am. Wind chills will still remain below zero through the afternoon as southwest winds pick up with high pressure sliding to the east and southeast. Temperatures through much of Wednesday will remain in the single digits, warming slightly by Wednesday night as southwest winds increase.

A cold front passing through the region Thursday will give temperatures a bump near 30 degrees, but will also bring with it a chance for a few light flurries or snow showers. Cold air returns behind the front, but it won't be as bone-chilling cold as the first half of the week. A pattern change into next week will bring temperatures back up into the low 30s with a chance for some light precipitation, possibly rain, during the afternoon.

Dangerously Cold Tuesday & Wednesday, Coldest Night of the Season Arrives Tonight

Back to the Arctic:

With Monday's quick-moving clipper system over and done with, our attention now turns to the bone-chilling cold that's settling in this morning. A Wind Chill Advisory is now in effect for the entire region until mid-morning as wind chill values are expected to range from -15° to -25°. 

Now, before you head out the door, make sure you are prepared. It'll be important to dress in extra layers, preferably 3 or more layers, and to avoid being outside for a prolonged period of time. If you CAN'T avoid being outdoors, cover as much exposed skin as possible as the cold we're dealing with this morning could lead to frostbite within 30-minutes. Also, don't leave your pets outside! Remember, if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them. 

Coldest Night on the Way:

With an area of high pressure directly to our northwest, wall-to-wall sunshine is expected for our Tuesday. Unfortunately, that won't help temperatures much as most will struggle to make it out of the single-digits this afternoon.

A lingering northwesterly wind will keep wind chills below 0° so make sure to have those layers handy later on. Guidance continues to show that area of high pressure moving over northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin tonight, resulting in the coldest night of the season thus far. And similar to this morning, another round of wind chill advisory looks very likely for tonight into Wednesday morning.

Underneath a mostly clear sky, temperatures will bottom out or drop rapidly, falling as low as -10° to -15° by Wednesday morning. If you're keeping track, the last time the Rockford International Airport came in with a low that cold was February 17th of last year. So yes, it's been a while. Along for the ride does come a modest breeze,  which will be just enough of one to send wind chills down to -20° to -30° below zero. 

Again, take the same precautions are you are this morning. Try your best to limit the time you spend outdoors. Dress warmly, using plenty of layers, and consume hot fluids as often as possible. This upcoming Arctic wave seems to ease slightly into Wednesday as winds will shift to the southwest. While we do see more seasonable temperatures by Thursday, another cold front will slightly drop our temperatures as we jump into the weekend.

Slippery Snowy AM Commute, Arctic Air Rushes in Behind Today's Clipper

Slick/Snow-Covered Roads:

As we prepare for our Monday, clipper system number two is currently sliding into the area, bringing with it another round of light to at times moderate snow and hazardous travel. 

Earlier this morning, a Winter Weather Advisory went into effect for Winnebago, Ogle, Boone, McHenry, and Dekalb counties in northern Illinois, along with Rock and Walworth counties up in southern Wisconsin. This advisory is timed to remain in effect up until mid-day, with most spots picking up right around the same as the clipper system that passed through over the weekend. The main concern of course being slippery travel as forecast models earlier this morning showcased the heavier snowfall rates occurring during the morning commute. If traveling, be sure to give yourself extra time and drive slowly.

Arctic Cold Returns:

Thankfully, this storm system will be quick to exit, with snowfall expected to fully taper off by mid to late morning. Left behind will be a decent amount of cloud cover and an organized northwesterly wind. Even though highs this afternoon are expected to peak in the mid to upper 20s, this wind shift will help usher in another round of frigidly cold Arctic air. As skies clear into the overnight hours, temperatures will crash into Tuesday morning, with most landing on either side of the 0-degree mark.

Unfortunately, temperatures get lower from there. Despite plenty of sunshine on Tuesday, highs will be limited to the upper single-digits. With winds still blowing out of the northwest, wind chills throughout the day will remain below 0°. The worst of the cold slides in Tuesday night as an area of high pressure settles over the Stateline. 

So far this winter season, our coldest night was back on January 7th where the Rockford Airport fell to -6°. It looks like Tuesday night will more than likely top that temperatures look to drop as low as -10° to -15°. Wind chills could be as low as -20° to -30°, which will low enough for the issuance of a Wind Chill Advisory. As we say all the time, be prepared before stepping out the door. Dress appropriately in extra layers and avoid being outside for a prolonged period of time!

Weekend snow, arctic chill on the way

Temperatures were a little warmer today than yesterday, but the warmth will not last very long. Snow chances ramp up this weekend, starting tonight. Colder air moves in after into the middle of next week. Snow chances start tonight, with the passage of a cold front. Flurries are possible from around midnight tonight through the morning tomorrow. Slick spots are possible on roadways, as our temperatures have been below freezing now for a few days.

Temperatures tonight will be not nearly as cold as they were the previous night. But we will see temperatures nearly into single digits with those chances for flurries.

Snow chances last into Saturday morning. Temperatures a bit warmer still for Saturday, but breezy conditions keep our wind chills on the colder side. Snow chances return late in the evening Saturday.

The snow chances for Saturday evening into Sunday morning are a bit more widespread than the previous chance for snow with a clipper system. We could see widespread an inch or two of snow with some locally higher amounts. This will definitely give us some slick conditions and enough snow to shovel off sidewalks. These snow showers last through the early part of Sunday morning. 

The third chance for snow comes with a second clipper late Sunday night into and through Monday afternoon. This clipper looks to be trending more North for the moment, but some light accumulations are possible once again. There is still a little uncertainty with the track of this one, so keep updated on the forecast through the weekend!

That is a lot of chances for snow in a short time, so here is a recap of the three storm systems. Saturday evening into Sunday morning is the system that could bring us 1"-2" of light, fluffy snow, with some locally higher amounts.

Looking beyond Monday, we see arctic air return for Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the teens and lows close to or below zero. Tuesday night into Wednesday has the chance to bring us our coldest air of the year. 

The 7-Day forecast shows that cold really moving in quickly after the snow chances this weekend.