ROCKFORD, Ill. – Northern Illinois will see its coldest night of the fall season as clear skies and calm winds allow temperatures to dip near freezing early Thursday, bringing a risk of widespread frost across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Frost Advisory is in effect from midnight tonight through 9 a.m. Thursday for Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, La Salle, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, and Ford Counties. Lows are expected to fall into the upper 20s and low 30s, with frost likely forming on exposed surfaces before sunrise.
Sensitive vegetation could be damaged or killed if left uncovered, especially in low-lying and rural areas along I-39, I-55, and I-57. Residents are urged to cover plants, move potted flowers indoors, and ensure outdoor hoses and sprinklers are disconnected ahead of the chill.
According to county emergency management officials, drivers should allow extra time Thursday morning as frost may coat windshields and create slick spots on bridges and overpasses. The cool stretch marks the region’s first widespread frost event of the season.
Temperatures will rebound slightly by Friday afternoon under sunny skies, but another cool push is expected this weekend, keeping overnight lows near seasonal averages.
