ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – A significant warming trend is officially underway in the Stateline, and record temperatures look very likely to arrive in the region on Tuesday.

There hasn’t been a day with a temperature of 80° or higher on or after October 29 since 1950, but the combination of partial sunlight and a strong breeze from the southwest can do just that. The high temperature of 82 degrees expected on Tuesday would break the October 29 record set in 1922.

On the downside, very high winds, dry air, high temperatures and ongoing drought are not a good combination when it comes to fire danger, which is expected to be very high, if not extreme, in the afternoon. While it cannot be completely ignored, Fire Weather Watches have not yet been issued for our area.

Wednesday may pose a similar fire risk, but the risk will be slightly lower than on Tuesday due to slightly more cloud cover and slightly more moisture.

We won’t have to go far to hit 80° for a second straight day, as low temperatures Wednesday morning are likely to be in the mid-60s. But increasing cloudiness may be enough to keep us from getting there. Currently our forecasts are calling for a high temperature of 79°, but any additional sunshine will allow us to hit the 80° mark in many, if not most, locations. Strong winds will still be noticeable, with gusts up to 40 mph possible in the afternoon.

The approaching cold front will bring more cloud cover our way Wednesday night, and showers and thunderstorms will eventually enter the fray. With such warm air ahead of the front, a few of the storms could be on the stronger side. The Storm Prediction Center places much of the Stateline at Level 1, Marginal Risk due to severe weather Wednesday night. High winds and heavy rains will be our main threats of severe weather.

A few showers may persist through the early hours of Thursday, but dry weather is expected from later in the morning. This is great news for trick-or-treating plans in the area on Thursday evening.

High temperatures will reach 61° around noon on Thursday, but will drop into the lower 50s by afternoon. Trick-or-treating temperatures should be around 50° and breezes should gradually fade.

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