More rain moves in Sunday evening

For the first half of the weekend, temperatures were much cooler. We had a bit of a temperatures gradient in the Stateline yesterday. Temperatures in Rockford made it into the upper 60s. However, in Galena, and areas northwest of here they were only in the lower 60s, while areas southwest of here made it into the lower to even mid 70s! 

Early Sunday morning, temperatures are warmer than Saturday. There is a little bit of a change in the temperatures department for the second half of the weekend. Sunday temperatures will rise near the 80 degree mark, this will depend on how fast the stationary front sitting south of the Stateline inches towards us. With some breaks in the clouds and as that moves closer to us, temperatures will warm. We could see a decent temperature gradient again Sunday like what we had out there Saturday.

The Chicago Rockford International Airport checked in with just a trace, 0.03”, of rain on Saturday. More rain is in the forecast Sunday, but similar to yesterday, not a washout by any means. Most rain has tapered off Sunday morning and that will be the case until later this evening for most. Overnight Sunday and into Monday morning and afternoon, the rain becomes more widespread. We may hear isolated thunder at that point, although nothing should be severe.

The Storm Prediction Center has areas just west of the Stateline under a marginal (low level, 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms Sunday.

Winds are gusting up to about 10-15mph Sunday morning. Sustained winds will stay between 5-15mph Sunday with gusts reaching up to 20-25mph later in the day and overnight Sunday.

After Sunday, daytime highs will be near normal/slightly below normal for the work week, only in the lower to mid 70s most days. As we head into the weekend, not many changes can be anticipated.

Isolated showers this weekend

This weekend will bring a big change from what we had last weekend. Temperatures will only be in the upper 60s Saturday and then the mid 70s in most places across the Stateline. 

Early Saturday morning, temperatures are well below normal except in northwest areas such as Galena and Monroe. In Rockford, we are checking into the coldest temperature in the area this morning at only 48 degrees. Temperatures will be quickly rise into the lower 60s today but most places will not dip into the 70s Saturday. This will be a different story Sunday with temperatures a little bit warmer, back closer to normal. 

No one across the Stateline as of 6am Saturday morning is down in visibility, but with the rain just west of the Stateline, we could see some reduction in visibility later. Isolated showers will move in Saturday morning with the heaviest rain northward. As the day gradually goes on, showers fizzle out and we’re left with a few sprinkles. Overnight Saturday, the rain will pick up once again. There will be heavy pockets of rain in north areas before the rain becomes much more widespread Sunday night into Monday. We may hear isolated thunder at that point, although nothing should be severe.

Look for lighter winds today only between 5-10mph. Gusts could be as high as 15mph Saturday and Saturday night. 

Temperatures are going to be back to a below normal pattern for the work week, only in the lower to mid 70s most days. 

Pleasant Weather Continues, Rain Chances Ramp Up Over the Weekend

Another Pleasant Day:

If you ask me, Thursday's weather gets a perfect 10 out of 10 as the sun was shinning from start to finish, with highs landing in the upper 70s. You're probably thinking to yourself... how do we top that? Well, with another day filled with sunshine of course! With high pressure still control of our atmosphere, more of the same weather can be expected for our Friday. 

The only difference with today is going to be the slight increase in wind that occurs as we hop into the mid-day and afternoon hours. Winds will once again be out of the west-northwest, gusting up to 20-25 mph at times. It's this, along with the warm and dry conditions that will lead to an increased potential for fire danger. For that reason, consider postponing any unnecessary burning. Otherwise, the weather will be perfect for any OTHER outdoor activities like City Market! 

Weekend Rain Chances:

A shift in our winds will allow moisture to increase overnight, resulting in an increase in clouds. While a shower or two is possible Saturday morning, a better shot at rain will arrive during the later half of the day. That's good news for anyone who is planning to participate in the Rockford Fire 911 3k run walk that begins at 9:11AM. Current thinking suggests that most of the rain will arrive late and continue overnight into Sunday morning.

Rain chances are then expected to remain on and off in nature into early next week. A lifting warm front will bring temperatures up just a tad for Sunday afternoon, with most of us peaking in the mid to upper 70s. That same warm front will sink southeastward as a cold front, resulting in a slight drop in highs for the beginning of next week.   

Elevated fire risk possible Friday

 

Thursday was just a picture perfect afternoon with nearly full sunshine and temperatures warming into the mid 70s. There has been a light breeze from the northwest, but both the wind and clouds should decrease following the setting sun Thursday evening.

Friday will be almost a carbon copy of Thursday; temperatures warming into the mid and upper 70s, partly cloudy skies and a northwest breeze. The breeze, however, will be slightly stronger during the afternoon as gusts could top 25-30 mph.

The combination of the wind, dry air - dew points in the low 40s (perhaps upper 30s) - and warm temperatures may support a slightly elevated fire risk in areas that haven't received much rainfall recently. Relative humidity values during the late morning and afternoon will range between 25-35% which is fairly low. So while you'll want to make sure you get out and enjoy the beautiful afternoon Friday, if your outdoor plans include any burning please make sure you're being cautious and careful.   

Dry Weather Sticks Around Ahead of Late-Weekend Rain Chances

Dry Weather Continues:

The month of June kicked off with a perfect 10/10 as clouds thinned out late, allowing for some afternoon sunshine. High temperatures for a few peaked in the mid 70s, which is right where we should be at the beginning of June. For those who LOVED yesterday's weather, you'll be happy to know that more of the same is expected for the days to come!

Today features plenty of sun thanks to an area of high pressure locked over the central plains. Similar to Wednesday, our winds will be out of the northwest, allowing highs to peak at seasonable levels. 

That, along with low humidity levels, will make for another B-E-A-UTIFUL afternoon for outdoor activities. If that isn't enough, you can just copy and paste today's weather into tomorrow's forecast as high pressure remains in control. Good news for those who plan to attend Rockford's City Market!

Weekend Rain Chances:

Not too far behind will be our next few shots at some rainfall. Guidance shows on and off showers arriving late Saturday evening, with chances continuing into Sunday and even into beginning of next week. A lifting warm front will keep our temperatures near average into Sunday, with highs topping out in the upper 70s. Slightly cooler air pushing in behind our late-weekend system will bring temperatures down by a few degrees for the first half of next week.

Near average Meteorological Spring

 

Welcome to Meteorological Summer! Officially, summer doesn't start for another couple weeks but to meteorologists and climatologists it starts today. Meteorological Summer is the three month period of June, July and August that climatologically are the three hottest months out of the year. The average high temperature for the beginning of June starts out in the mid/upper 70s, rising to the low/mid 80s by the end of the month.

Looking back to the last three months of March, April and May, known as Meteorological Spring, it was an overall near average Spring. The average high temperature over the three month period was just shy of 60 degrees, only 0.5 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was just shy of 40 degrees which was one degree above normal. Precipitation was measured at 9.94 inches, almost 0.40 inches below normal and we received six inches of snow which was just 0.2 inches above normal.

A slightly cooler pattern will stick around through the beginning of June. Temperatures Thursday and Friday will warm to the mid 70s, not too far from average, but those temperatures will slowly drop back down by the beginning of next week.

Cooler, Less Humid for the First Few Days of Meteorological Summer

Meteorological Summer:

Some clearing took place ahead of yesterday's storm activity, allowing highs to climb into the low to mid 80s to close out May. With that being said, I'd like to welcome you all to meteorological summer! This includes the months June, July and August, and it's during this stretch where we see our average highs peak around 84°, with June averaging the most rain of this three month period. However, thanks to the cold front that came through overnight, temperatures for the first few days of June look to trend cooler-than-average. 

Cooler, Less Humid:

Dry air filtering in behind last night's frontal passage will result in mixed sunshine for our Wednesday. With winds being out of the northwest, expect highs to peak in the low 70s. Along with the comfortable temperatures comes comfortable humidity levels as our dew points look to sit in the upper 40s and lower 50s for much of the day. 

All in all, a perfect start to the month of June and meteorological summer! Conditions remain quiet during the evening commute, with clouds increasing into the overnight hours. This is all because of a weak disturbance that pivots into the region from the Upper Midwest. All this will bring is a the chance for a passing shower or two overnight, with clouds decreasing into Thursday. Once tonight's chances conclude, we won't have to worry about rain chances again until late in the weekend.

Remaining Cool:

An area of high pressure over the central plains will keep our weather under control for the remainder of the work week. Expect plenty of sunshine for both Thursday and Friday with temperatures climbing in the mid to upper 70s. 

In fact, highs in the 70s will be the name of the game through the upcoming weekend and into the start of next week. As I mentioned, rain chances return, especially during the Sunday-Monday time frame where a few showers and storms will be possible. With that being said, it doesn't look like any of these days will be a washout at this point in the forecast.