Major warming trend begins Wednesday

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - After four consecutive days with high temperatures failing to reach 20°, temperatures finally managed to cross that elusive barrier Tuesday over the vast majority of the Stateline.

We reached the 20s for the first time in five days Tuesday, but remained well below normal. — We reached the 20s for the first time in five days Tuesday, but remained well below normal.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

While a small step in the right direction, it’s still far short of where we typically should be at this point in December. To provide a bit of context, as of 6:00pm Tuesday, we’ve now gone 290 straight hours with temperatures below freezing. That’s more than twelve full days!!!

It's been more than twelve days since we last saw temperatures at or above freezing. — It's been more than twelve days since we last saw temperatures at or above freezing.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

While that number will almost certainly climb above 300 overnight into early Wednesday morning, the streak WILL end on Wednesday. Strong southerly winds are to blow overnight, which, along with cloud cover, should allow temperatures to hold steady or even rise a few degrees by sunrise.

With a warmer start to the day Wednesday, a stronger southerly breeze, and plentiful sunshine all in play, temperatures are to surge well above freezing well before noon, and when all is said and done, it’s likely we’re to top out in the 40s.

Sunshine and a strong southerly breeze will allow temperatures to surge on Wednesday. — Sunshine and a strong southerly breeze will allow temperatures to surge on Wednesday.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Temperatures Wednesday are to surge well into the 40s. — Temperatures Wednesday are to surge well into the 40s.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

More clouds are to gather Wednesday night, and southerly breezes remain intact, likely resulting in lows that don’t drop below the freezing mark.

Clouds are to arrive Wednesday night, ensuring a very mild night. — Clouds are to arrive Wednesday night, ensuring a very mild night.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Though not much, if any sunshine’s on tap Thursday, the persistent southerly wind and much warmer start to the day should still be enough to send temperatures well into the 40s, and perhaps even flirt with 50°. While clouds are to be dominant, the daytime hours are to be dry. Not until early Thursday and beyond do showers enter the forecast picture.

Clouds are to dominate Thursday, but the belief is that the daytime hours are to be dry and mild. — Clouds are to dominate Thursday, but the belief is that the daytime hours are to be dry and mild.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Clouds remain intact Thursday evening, and a few sprinkles or showers are possible. — Clouds remain intact Thursday evening, and a few sprinkles or showers are possible.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Temperatures could reasonably flirt with 50° on Thursday. — Temperatures could reasonably flirt with 50° on Thursday.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Temperatures will cool Friday and Saturday, albeit slightly. Still, the expected highs in the lower 40s on 2022′s final two days are still to come in well above normal, and the milder than normal temperatures are to extend into New Year’s Day as well!

While Friday won't be as warm as Thursday, it'll still be substantially above normal. — While Friday won't be as warm as Thursday, it'll still be substantially above normal.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Temperatures Saturday will have little trouble reaching the 40s once again. — Temperatures Saturday will have little trouble reaching the 40s once again.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Temperatures are to remain significantly milder than normal to start off 2023. — Temperatures are to remain significantly milder than normal to start off 2023.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Looking through a longer range lens, signs continue to strongly point toward milder than normal conditions for at least the first week to week and a half of 2023. That’s a thought echoed by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center in their extended outlooks. That’s not to say there won’t be cool days. Rather, it suggests that milder days will only outnumber the chilly ones.

Temperature are largely to remain above normal through at least the first ten days of January. — Temperature are largely to remain above normal through at least the first ten days of January.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

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