After the front moves through this morning, winds will shift back to the northwest, keeping daytime highs in the 40s. Some folks may peak around 50, but only where there is no snow on the ground. An old farmer’s saying from the Plains holds true, “More than 50% snow cover, means no more than 50 degrees”
Overnight, temperatures will drop quickly after sunset, falling below freezing early and bottoming out around 20 again. Be sure to protect yourself, pets, plants, and pipes from the cold. By now, this should come as second-nature!
Reinforcing cold air will keep temperatures low for the next couple of nights. With clear skies and strong radiative cooling, overnight lows will remain in the 20s through Saturday morning. Again, especially where there is still snow on the ground.
This weekend, highs will climb into the 50s as we melt all the snow, with overnight lows rising from the lower 20s to the upper 30s and low 40s. Moisture will increase, and several disturbances will bring a return of rain starting late Saturday into Sunday morning, especially along and west of I-55. Then overtaking most of the area by Monday.
As you can see on the map below, we aren’t talking about “big time” rain. Just passing showers and a few rumbles of thunder.
Seasonal temperatures (highs in the 50s to lower 60s and lows in the upper 30s to mid-40s) are expected through the period, with rain tapering off slightly toward midweek.
The next “big” system through he area looks to arrive next weekend. And depending on the track could offer a shot for storms and potentially severe weather.
REGIONAL DAY TO DAY FORECAST
Thursday: Mostly sunny. Not as cool with highs in the mid 40s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Not as cold with lows in the lower 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, cold with lows in the lower 20s.
Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Not as cool with lows in the mid 30s.
Sunday: Partly sunny with a slight chance of showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Not as cool with lows in the mid 40s.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers, mainly in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Tuesday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s.
