Friday will be chilly across Alton and the River Bend, with a breezy morning and periods of sunshine leading to a high of 44 degrees. Clouds will give way to mainly clear skies tonight as the temperature drops to a low of 28. The cold start was already evident at 6:32 a.m., when the Alton observation reported 32 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.
North-northwest winds around 13 mph, with gusts near 25 mph, are the main daytime concern. Those gusts could move lightweight outdoor items. Despite some sunshine, the forecast daytime feels-like high is just 36 degrees, noticeably below the air temperature. Winds ease tonight, but the overnight cold could harm tender plants left outdoors.
Saturday brings a sunnier, less windy day, with a high of 48 degrees — 4 degrees warmer than Friday. Plenty of sunshine and lighter winds will mark the clearest change from Friday's breezy conditions, while dry weather continues. The daytime improvement will not carry into the overnight temperatures: Clear skies Saturday night accompany a low of 27, slightly colder than Friday night's forecast.
Sunday continues the gradual daytime warming, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 53 degrees. Sunday night looks clear and cold, with a low of 29. That keeps overnight temperatures below freezing through the weekend even as daytime highs climb from the 40s into the 50s.
By Monday, the outlook calls for plenty of sunshine and a high of 55 degrees, followed by a clear night with a low of 33. Tuesday should remain sunny with a high of 56, then clear Tuesday night with a low of 37.
Get the latest updates on weather conditions here: RiverBender.com/weather.
