February thaw set to continue for a third straight day Wednesday

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - If Monday’s 41° temperatures didn’t feel good enough for folks, Tuesday’s 45° were likely considerably more satisfying, especially considering winds were not nearly the factor Tuesday as they were a day ago. As it stands, the 45° reading at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport goes down as the warmest temperature witnessed here since December 27!

Temperatures warmed another notch Tuesday, surging to 45°, making it the warmest day since... — Temperatures warmed another notch Tuesday, surging to 45°, making it the warmest day since December 27!(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

The back-to-back 40s have allowed us to take a bit of a bite out of our snowpack in the Stateline. In just the past 48 hours, we’ve seen five inches of snow melt in Rockford, with more melting likely to continue overnight as temperatures remain above the freezing mark.

We've shaved five inches off our snowpack over just the past two days.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

There are a few drawbacks to the warmth, though. We can expect potholes to emerge in the coming days as we go through a cycle of above freezing temperatures during the day and sub-freezing overnight lows.

The above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing temperatures at night may... — The above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing temperatures at night may favor pothole development.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Additionally, we’ll need to be on the lookout for falling icicles as well, though that issue should subside more quickly as the melting continues.

Another potential issue in the coming days will be falling ice due to the melting during the... — Another potential issue in the coming days will be falling ice due to the melting during the day and refreezing that happens overnight.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Overall, the pattern looks to remain extremely benign for the next several days here. The jet stream has retreated north, this deflecting most storm systems in that general direction. Additionally, the southern branch of the jet stream remains well to the south, thus keeping any active weather well south of us as well. The end result is a dry pattern that should take us through at least the end of the workweek.

Another disturbance is to pass well to our north early in the day Wednesday.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Another disturbance brings light snow well to our north once again Thursday.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Come Friday morning, areas well to our south will be targeted by active weather.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Our next weather maker takes aim on the region either late Friday night or early Saturday morning. It’s a fast moving weather system that will bring us a quick-hitting shot of light precipitation. At this early stage in the game, it appears though a mix of rain and/or snow may be in play, though significant accumulations of either are not foreseen.