Rockford's First Frost Could Arrive Friday Night

After we hit record-breaking high temps close to 90 this week, did you break down and turn the air conditioning on again?

Just days after summer-like heat, you're likely going to need the furnace for the first time this season, with a first frost likely.

Rain and Wind Set the Stage for a Cold Night

Before temperatures plummet, the Rockford region will have to deal with some rain and possibly thunderstorms on Thursday (10/15), with highs expected to be in the low 60s. Showers could stick around into Thursday night as temps drop into the mid-40s.

By Friday (10/16), skies are expected to clear up and turn mostly sunny, but it could be windy, with highs expected in the mid-50s. Clear skies on Friday night will set up favorable conditions for the first frost of the season.

A sharp blast of colder air will bring Rockford temperatures close to 32 on Friday night, with some areas dipping into the upper 20s, according to the Weather Channel forecast.

What Rockford Residents Should Do Before Friday Night

If you have flowers, vegetables, or other sensitive plants outdoors, you'll want to prepare now to bring potted plants indoors and cover outdoor plants before the temps fall on Friday night.

The National Weather Service lists October 13 as Rockford's average first autumn freeze date, based on 1991-2020 climate data, so we're pretty close to normal.

It will be a pretty dramatic temperature swing going from the record high of 88 on Monday to potentially a low in the upper 20s on Friday night.