Warm Up on The Way

PITTSFIELD — A noticeable weather pattern change is on the way for West Central Illinois, bringing a stretch of milder, spring-like temperatures after one more cold day settles across the region.

Today is expected to remain chilly, with highs holding in the low 30s under mostly sunny skies as light northerly winds limit warming. Temperatures will drop sharply again tonight, falling into the teens with wind chills dipping into the single digits and low teens by early Thursday morning.

Conditions begin to shift Thursday as a warm front moves through the area, increasing cloud cover and turning winds to the south and southwest. Highs are expected to climb into the low to mid-40s, several degrees above normal for early February. Overnight lows will also begin trending warmer, settling into the 20s and lower 30s — a pattern expected to continue into next week.

Friday brings another push of mild air, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid to upper 40s before a dry cold front moves through later in the day. While a brief cooldown follows Friday night, temperatures are still expected to remain near seasonal averages heading into the weekend.

Saturday looks cooler but seasonable, with highs in the upper 30s under a mix of sun and clouds. By Sunday, southwest winds are forecast to return, allowing temperatures to rebound into the upper 40s. Early next week could feel more like late March, with highs potentially approaching 60 degrees by Tuesday — well above average for early February.