ROCKFORD, Ill. – November has ushered in pleasant weather for residents, with temperatures hovering in the upper 50s to lower 60s, providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities. However, a significant shift in weather is predicted for this weekend, which may bring with it the season’s first potential snowfall alongside a drop in temperatures.
According to historical snowfall data over the last 30 years, Rockford typically sees its first snowfall around November 21. Notably, 2019 marked an earlier instance when half an inch of snow fell on October 29. The latest recorded first snowfall occurred in 2012, with a more substantial 1.4 inches on December 20. Generally, the initial snowfall tends to be light, averaging around 0.3 inches, though occurrences of heavier snow, such as the 6.9 inches that fell on December 6, 1994, have been documented.
For the upcoming weekend, meteorological forecasts indicate that Snowfall is unlikely to be significant, with predictions estimating only a trace or possibly one-tenth of an inch might accumulate, if any at all. An upper-level low-pressure system is anticipated to pass through on Saturday, with the main disturbance and moisture expected to move over the area late Saturday evening into Saturday night. As winds shift to the north, they will pull in colder air, leading to a drop in temperatures to the mid-30s around midnight and further down to the mid-20s by Sunday morning.
As this unfolds, any rain expected late Saturday afternoon will likely transition into a wintry mix and potentially pure snowfall by early Sunday. However, the ground temperatures remain too warm for any significant accumulation, meaning that the primary impact residents will experience on Sunday will be the cold rather than snow-covered roads.
As the season progresses, this first hint of winter might be an excellent opportunity for residents to prepare for the colder months ahead and enjoy the changing scenery that snowfall brings.