Thursday, December 5 forecast: Arctic air recedes in time for the weekend

We've been raided overnight by an Arctic cold front robbing us of our nice temperatures from Wednesday. Temperatures at midnight were still in the 40s, by sunrise readings had dropped into the low 20s. The cold set up camp during the day with afternoon highs in many areas that never made it back up to freezing.

The wind will die down overnight tonight allowing the still air to cool further. Temperatures will tumble into the mid-to-upper teens. Friday will be better, but still chilly with highs in the 40s.

The weekend is still on track to get back into a mild mode. Breezy southwest winds will blow in warmer air with sunshine pushing temperatures well into the 50s Saturday.

Sunday will come with a quick increase in cloud cover that could blunt the warmup. There will also be a risk of rain, mainly near and south of I-44 during the afternoon.

Springfield hasn't measured 0.10" of rainfall since November 18, 17 days ago. Rainfall with Sunday's storm is expected to be light along I-44 with heavier amounts to the southeast.

Monday is shaping up to be a transition day and will come with clouds and cool temperatures before the next arrival of winter air on Tuesday. A cold stretch will stick around through the middle of the week. The longer range pattern looks more mild starting late in the week through the following weekend. The Springfield Parade forecast looks breezy and dry with temperatures in the 50s.