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The warming trend will continue beyond Friday

The warming trend will continue beyond Friday

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – As of Thursday morning we passed the coolest temperatures since April, a warming trend is emerging Thursday afternoon and there are strong signs it will continue for several more days.

Sunshine, very dry air and strong southerly winds combined to push temperatures into the 60s on Thursday, and we’re only going to go up from there.

Interestingly, Thursday marked the 23rd consecutive day without measurable precipitation in the Stateline. This occurs after a separate 22-day dry period between late August and mid-September. Since 1905, there have been a total of 39 dry periods lasting 22 days or longer. Two of those 39 occurred in the last two months!

This is the 23rd consecutive day of no precipitation in the stateline.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that our drought situation is rapidly worsening. Nearly a third of the Stateline is currently in severe drought, according to the latest edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Unfortunately, the drought situation in the Stateline is rapidly worsening.
Unfortunately, the drought situation in the Stateline is rapidly worsening.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

With no rain in sight for the foreseeable future, our drought situation is only likely to get worse.

However, clear skies tonight will allow for a prime view of the supermoon, also known as the Hunter’s Moon. Due to its relatively close distance from Earth, it appears 30% brighter and 15% larger than a typical full moon.

The Hunter's Moon will be visible Thursday evening and will appear much larger and brighter...
The Hunter’s Moon will be visible Thursday evening and will appear much larger and brighter than a normal full moon.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

Over the next few days the sun will prevail and the breeze will blow at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour at times, but it will be a warm breeze. The end result will be a picture-perfect October weekend, with high temperatures of 73° on Friday, 75° on Saturday and 79° on Sunday.

There will be sunshine from start to finish over the next few days.
There will be sunshine from start to finish over the next few days.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)
There will be sunshine from start to finish over the next few days.
There will be sunshine from start to finish over the next few days.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)
There will be sunshine from start to finish over the next few days.
There will be sunshine from start to finish over the next few days.(Mark Henderson, WIFR)

On Monday the cake will probably be the warmest of all. Our current forecast is for a high of 81°.

The passage of a cold front on Tuesday will bring slightly cooler temperatures and a slight chance of a few light showers.

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