Thursday morning starts clear across the Riverbend, with Alton at 51 degrees shortly before 7 a.m. It feels like 53 degrees, and a north wind of about 2 mph barely stirs the air. Visibility is 10 miles for the morning commute. A light jacket earns its keep early, but plan on shedding that extra layer later.
By afternoon, mostly sunny skies will push the high to 86 degrees, with a feels like temperature reaching 89 degrees. Southeast winds will run about 6 mph, with gusts near 9 mph. The daytime rain chance is zero, so an umbrella can sit this one out. If your plans include lunch outside or a walk, expect a much warmer outing than the trip to work or school.
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The UV index will reach a moderate 4. Allergy levels are moderate for mold and ragweed, the main concerns today, while tree and grass pollen remain low. Air quality is rated good.
Evening brings sunset at 6:33 p.m., a useful marker for fitting in yardwork or a trip to the park before daylight runs out. Keep that morning jacket handy for plans that stretch past dinner.
Overnight, temperatures will fall to a low of 51 degrees, feeling like 49 degrees. The nighttime rain chance is just 4%.
Friday turns hotter, with a high of 89 degrees and a low of 54 degrees. Expect sunshine and south winds around 8 mph, gusting to 18 mph.
Get the latest updates on weather conditions here: RiverBender.com/weather.