The warming trend begins on Thursday

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Stateline residents woke up Wednesday to the coldest temperatures our area has seen since April, and while the chill eased somewhat under the day’s unlimited sunshine, we’re in for another frigid night.

Clear skies, extremely dry air and light winds will cause temperatures to drop back to or slightly below freezing overnight. A freeze warning has been issued for portions of the Stateline until 9 a.m. Thursday.

Another freeze warning is in effect for much of the Stateline early Thursday morning.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

You will see that this latest frost warning is not all-encompassing. That’s because areas north and west of Rockford saw temperatures fall well below freezing Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, effectively ending the growing season there. In the counties highlighted above, not all fell below freezing, and those that did may not have fallen far enough below freezing to see any resulting impacts on vegetation. Therefore, a further warning has been issued so that people can take appropriate measures to protect the sensitive vegetation that is still alive.

Regardless, this should be the last time we have to worry about a frost or freeze. All signs point to a significantly warmer pattern emerging from Thursday.

After tonight's frost, there should be no more frost fears for several days. — After tonight’s frost, there should be no frost fears for several days.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Lots of sunshine is expected again in the next few days. This sunshine, along with increasingly gusty southwesterly winds, will ensure a steady rise in temperatures. We will reach the upper 60s on Thursday and the mid 70s on Friday and Saturday.

Sunshine and gusty southwest winds should allow steady warming over the... — Sunshine and gusty southwest winds should ensure steady warming over the next few days.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

As nighttime minimum temperatures increase day by day, afternoon maximum temperatures will also continue to rise on Sunday and again on Monday. On Sunday we will probably be looking at 80°, and on Monday it is entirely possible that the temperature will reach 80°.

A cold front will bring more clouds, possibly a few clouds, and slightly cooler temperatures to the region on Tuesday next week.

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