Dense Fog Advisory Issued, Rain/Snow Mix into Friday

Dense Fog Early:

Overnight, the National Weather Service placed our remaining counties in N. Illinois under the DENSE FOG ADVISORY. 

This advisory will remain in effect until 10AM as visibility area-wide will register at or below 1/4 mile at times. To be safe, allow for extra travel time, take it slow, and make sure to travel with your low beam headlights! 

Tranquil Wednesday:

Once the dense fog from this morning lets up, the remainder of our Wednesday will be quiet. However, in a similar fashion to Monday and Tuesday, a vast majority of the day will be spent under a mostly cloudy sky. Despite that, temperatures will aim for the low 40s for the third day in a row. Ahead of our next storm system, clouds stick around overnight, with temperatures falling into the upper 20s.

Late Week Storm:

As of this morning, our next storm system is hovering over the warm Pacific waters just off the southwest California coastline. As time progresses, the jet stream will carry this low across the Rocky Mountains, placing it in the vicinity of the Stateline sometime Thursday evening/ night. 

This is why a vast majority of the day tomorrow will feature dry conditions, with a few sprinkles/flurries and light showers tracking through during the afternoon. Forecast models then show greater chances for precipitation reaching N. Illinois and S. Wisconsin late in the evening. With temperatures remaining a fair amount above the 32° mark, precipitation will likely start out as a chilly rain. While a rumble or two of thunder could occur within this activity, severe weather is definitely out of the question.

Overnight, temperatures will slowly fall closer to the 32° mark, which will help mix in a few snowflakes from time to time. Because of the more northerly track in our late week system, the rain/snow mix line doesn't aim to move much as we approach the sunrise Friday. 

If you plan to be out on the road, use extra caution and watch out for slick spots. Precipitation should carry on into the mid-day hours, before tapering off early in the afternoon. As the low departs, winds will be out of the northeast, temperatures will be limited to the upper 30s, potentially low 40s. The active pattern continues into the weekend as another disturbance slides in late Saturday into early Sunday, bringing another chance for a light wintry mix.

Locally dense fog possible Wednesday morning

 

UPDATE: A DENSE FOG ADVISORY has been issued for Green, Rock and Walworth counties in southern Wisconsin until 10am Wednesday. 

Skies have been filled with cloud cover Tuesday afternoon as moisture remains in place. Despite the cloud cover temperatures were still able to warm into the low to mid 40s, reaching 44 degrees in Rockford.

A weak upper-level disturbance moving in from the southwest late in the afternoon allowed some light snow showers/flurries and light rain to develop, stretching from northeast Iowa into northwest Illinois and Wisconsin. Not much of that locally has been able to reach the ground due to drier air aloft. Further north there were a few light snow showers that, while not accumulating, did cause roads to become wet throughout the day. As evening temperatures fall through the 30s there may be some slick spots on the roads north of the state line Tuesday night.

There has also been a little clearing in the thicker cloud cover to the west and while our skies won't completely clear overnight, pockets of clear sky are possible. This could lead to areas of fog, some locally dense, through the morning Wednesday. Overnight lows are forecast to fall into the low 30s which means freezing fog is also possible. The fog shouldn't be too widespread but watch for changing visibility and driving conditions across the Stateline during the morning, especially before the sun comes up, and use caution on elevated surfaces as slick spots are possible. Some of our forecast models are suggesting visibility falling to a less than a mile across northern Illinois and south-central Wisconsin.

Skies will then remain mostly cloudy Wednesday afternoon with temperatures warming back into the low to mid 40s. Rain showers still look to move in Thursday afternoon with a mix with, or transition over to, wet snow overnight Thursday into Friday. 

Cloudy Tuesday Ahead, Models Continue to Hone In on Late Week Storm

Looking Ahead:

The sunshine that we got to somewhat enjoy this past weekend was quick to give way to cloudy skies to begin the week. With the way the forecast is shaping up, Monday's lack of sunshine is a trend that we'll have to get used to moving forward as our weather pattern turns more active.

The first of three systems that we're keeping an eye on is set to pass to our south this afternoon. While most of the precipitation with today's disturbance should remain north of the Illinois/Wisconsin border, a few late-day spotty sprinkles and flurries cannot be ruled out elsewhere. 

Similar to Monday, highs this afternoon are likely to peak in the low 40s. Expect a similar warm-up for Wednesday. However, with high pressure nearby, some clearing will take place, allowing a bit more sunshine to filter through. 

Late Week Storm:

As we mentioned yesterday, guidance didn't really have a clear answer on what kind of track our storm system will take once it departs the southern plains. However, model runs this morning have shown a higher degree of confidence that the storm will take a more northerly trip into Illinois. 

This would mean that N. Illinois would be in closer proximity to the warmer side of the low, allowing rain to be the primary from of precipitation to start. Eventually as temperatures cool into Thursday night into Friday morning, rain will mix and possibly changeover to snow. When that changeover to snow occurs and how much snow we could be possibly see (if any) is still up in the air. Of course, the answer to these questions will come in the next day or so as models hone in on more data. Trends this morning however place the higher potential for accumulating snow to our north in southern and central Wisconsin. Stay tuned! 

Mainly Dry & Mild Monday, Precipitation Chances Ramp Up Late in the Week

Tranquil First Half:

Improvements settled in for Sunday, both in the wind and temperature departments. With sunshine filling our skies and a southwest breeze in place, highs for most landed in the upper 30s. 

Overall, a much nicer day to be outside compared to Saturday. Despite a lot more cloud cover being in the works for the start of the work week, temperatures will once again end up mild compared to early-December standards. Forecast models then show our next cold front sliding through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin this evening, bringing with it the small chance for an evening sprinkle or two. Otherwise, conditions remain dry during the overnight hours with temperatures falling back into the upper 20s. 

Weather-wise, not a whole lot changes for Tuesday. Skies for most of the day aim to remain mostly cloudy, with high temperatures landing on either side of the 40-degree mark. Another disturbance sliding to our south could bring another round of light precipitation to the region. 

This would mainly be for those who live along or south of Intestate 88. But for those north of the interstate, a passing late-day shower or flurry is not out of the question. Cloud cover and the very small chance for precipitation linger into the middle of the work week. But once again, temperatures for the third straight day will peak in the upper 30s and low 40s. 

Late Week Storm:

The main focus this week will be with a more robust storm system that aims to bring a chance for precipitation Thursday into Friday. Of course, the type and magnitude of our precipitation chances will all be dependent on the low's track, which global forecast models did not have a good handle on earlier this morning. 

The GFS (American) model came in with a more northerly track, which would result in rain/snow mix type event for us. However, the European model was more on the idea that the low's center would take a trip through extreme southern Illinois, which would give us a better shot at seeing minor snowfall accumulations. Important details such as these would be hashed out once we're 12 to 24 hours prior to the event. So make sure you stay up to date with the forecast! Temperature-wise, highs remain in the 30s during this stretch and also during the upcoming weekend! 

Strong Winds Return, Wind Advisory Issued For Some

Strong Winds Return:

A rather similar set up to the one we had on Tuesday aims to bring strong winds back to the Stateline as we jump into the weekend. The only difference will be the direction in which our winds will be blowing out of, at least to start.

With anticyclonic flow (high pressure) sitting over the Tennessee Valley and a cold front draped to our west, winds throughout the day will be blowing out of the south and southwest. Wind gusts will range from 35-40 mph, which should be enough to bring our temperatures up to the 50° mark. And that's even with much of the day being spent under a mostly cloudy sky. Like Tuesday's cold front, there will be the small chance for a few stray showers before it's passage, likely this evening into early tonight.

Wind Advisory:

The strongest winds will be felt as the cold front itself is passing through the region overnight. For that, the National Weather Service in Quad Cities has placed Jo-Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, and Whiteside Counties under a WIND ADVISORY from 6PM this evening to 3AM Saturday morning. 

Winds during this time will be capable of gusting up to 50 mph. Once the front is through, winds will immediately shift to the northwest, allowing our next cold snap to settle in. Temperatures are expected to rapidly fall into the low 20s, with possibly a spot or two landing in the upper teens. With the quick drop in temperatures in mind, any moisture that is left behind by this evening shower chances will freeze up quick. So please keep an eye out for any slick spots whether it be in the parking lot, sidewalks, or while driving.  

Weekend Outlook:

Saturday is to be a repeat of Tuesday, minus the thick cloud cover. With a rather bitterly cold north to northwesterly wind in place, high temperatures will be severely restricted to the upper 20s. Even further down the thermometer will be our wind chill values as they look to register in the teens for a majority of the day. 

All in all, a good day to nothing but relax indoors. But if you have to be out and about at any point Saturday, plan on bundling up in layers! Improvements filter in Sunday as our next area of high pressure slides to the east of the region. This will allow southwest winds to quickly return, bringing our high temperatures back near seasonable-levels. 40s continue into early next week ahead of another cold front that will cool us down a little into the middle of next week!

Gusty winds Friday; Light evening rain showers

Temperatures Thursday afternoon were a little warmer than Wednesday, but it still felt cold with the southerly wind. This helped to keep wind chill values in the 20s throughout much of the afternoon, with those numbers now falling through the teens.

The south wind Thursday night will keep overnight lows out of the teens, but it will be a cold start Friday morning. Wind chills are likely to fall to the teens, rising some as the sun comes up. Cloud cover will also be on the increase Friday morning, clearing out early afternoon before moving back in for the evening. 

South winds are expected to increase throughout the day Friday, gusting close to 35 mph. This will help bring temperatures into the middle to upper 40s during the afternoon, rising then into the low 50s by the evening. It may not feel too warm, however, as the strong wind and increasing cloud cover will keep a little bit of a chill in the air.

Another strong cold front will move through around Midnight with temperatures quickly falling into the 20s by Saturday morning. Increasing moisture ahead of the front will cause a few light showers to develop after 5pm, lasting through 9pm/10pm. The rain won't amount to much, perhaps just a few hundredths of an inch, but with the quick drop in temperatures there could be some areas that experience a freeze by morning.

The skies will dry out quickly Saturday, but winds remain strong from the Northwest holding temperatures in the upper 20s. This will bring wind chills into the single digits Saturday morning, warming only to the teens for the afternoon.   

The Meteorological Winter Season Begins on a Bitterly Cold Note

Windy Stretch:

Thursday featured a rather strong westerly wind which made for a bitterly cold end to the month of November. With winds gusting between 30-40 mph for a majority of the day, highs peaked in the mid to upper 20s range. Although winds across the area significantly trended downward overnight, there will be just enough of a wind present to make for a bitterly cold start to our Thursday. 

Small Improvements:

Before heading out, make sure to have as many layers on as possible so that you have no issues with the cold this morning. Temperatures under a mostly clear sky have fallen into the teens, with wind chill values registering in the single-digits. 

An area of high pressure over the central plains is expected to slide to our east-southeast by the time were jumping into the afternoon. This will help shift our winds from the west to the south-southwest, resulting in a slight improvement in the temperature department. Under a good amount of sunshine, expect high temperatures to climb into the mid to upper 30s. While skies remain rather clear into the first half of the night,guidance does show clouds gathering up closer to sunrise Friday.

No Break From The Wind:

Gusty winds are set to return Friday as we await the arrival of our next cold front. Thankfully, this means they will remain out of a warmer direction, helping highs get back towards that 50° mark. Clouds will continue to thicken up, which may result in the potential for a stray shower or two during the afternoon and evening. 

Forecast models then bring in said cold front Friday night into Saturday morning, with our next cold snap quick to follow. In a similar fashion to yesterday, a rather strong northwesterly wind will severely restrict afternoon temperatures to the upper 20s. Of course, wind chills will registering in the teens for most of the day. Saturday also features a mostly cloudy to overcast sky as well as the chance for a few passing flurries. Improvements arrive Sunday with highs in the upper 30s.