Thursday starts mostly cloudy and damp in the Alton area, with temperatures near 59 degrees early and a light southwest breeze around 4 mph. It may feel a little milder at times, closer to 61. Clouds should gradually break as the morning moves along, and the breeze will pick up.
By afternoon, expect a warmer setup with a mix of clouds and sun. The high should reach about 84 degrees as southwest winds increase to around 13 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. Rain is not likely, with just a small chance near 17 percent. Tree pollen is very high today, so that is the main allergen to watch if you are spending time outside.
Thursday evening turns quieter with mostly clear skies and lighter winds. After sunset, temperatures will slide back through the 70s and 60s, making for a mild end to the day.
Overnight, skies stay mainly clear and the low should settle near 58 degrees. A light south wind will continue, and rain chances remain low at about 10 percent.
Friday stays warm with a high near 84 and a low around 47. Expect a breezy day with increasing clouds and the chance of a stray afternoon thunderstorm, followed by a much better chance for showers and stronger thunderstorms Friday night.
Get the latest updates on weather conditions here: RiverBender.com/weather.
