Skies are clearing out tonight with the arrival of high pressure from the west. Conditions will become favorable for strong radiational cooling to take place overnight, with lows bottoming out in the upper 30s and 40s. Our northern counties may slip into the mid-30s, leading to a concern for frost development. In response, the National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for Polk, Barron, and Rusk Counties until 9am Friday. Be sure to cover any sensitive vegetation or bring it inside for the night. Our typically colder spots may end up a bit colder, but their growing season is considered to be over. The work week wraps up with abundant sunshine as high pressure slowly drifts over Wisconsin to the east. Winds will be light and variable with slightly warmer but seasonable highs around 70.
Looking ahead to the first weekend of October, gusty winds will be the main weather story as a strong low pressure system in Southern Canada drags a cold front in from the west. Sustained south and southeast winds at 15-25 mph are expected on Saturday with higher gusts up to 40 mph possible, especially in the afternoon. Once the boundary passes at night, the flow will shift out of the west-northwest while remaining strong into Sunday. Sunshine will also be the dominant feature, though there is a small chance for showers along the approaching front Saturday evening. Dry air will likely prevent most of it from reaching us, but something to be aware of if you’re doing anything outside. After starting out the weekend near 80, we’ll quickly fall back around average to the mid-60s. The prevailing quiet pattern lingers through next week as an upper-level ridge is forecast to establish itself over the central part of the country. This setup will provide consecutive days of sunny weather, leaving us without much-needed rain as drought is now starting to develop in the area again. Temperatures are expected to warm through the 70s with some locations possibly achieving 80 later in the week.
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