While there isn't any snow in the forecast for the Christmas holiday travel weekend, it is actually a side effect of the warmer weather that will be impacting travel times over the next few days.
Areas of fog, some dense with visibilities under a mile, will stick around throughout the morning hours at least. With the sun at its lowest angle in the sky (winter solstice was on Thursday) and calm winds, fog will struggle to dissipate and may even linger all day for some, though some may see more improvements in visibility in the afternoon.
The clouds will not keep temperatures from climbing as warmer air is drawn in from the south, allowing us to reach into the upper 40s and low 50s this afternoon. Fog is expected to redevelop tonight, keeping overnight temperatures in the mid 40s.
Fog sticks around into Sunday morning, but is expected to have an easier time dissipating due to increasing wind speeds throughout the day. Winds may actually gust up to 25-30 mph tomorrow evening, making for a breezy ride for Santa into the Stateline.
The warming temperature trend peaks tomorrow as well, potentially breaking records. Sunday's forecasted high of 57° in Rockford would break the Christmas Eve record of 55° set in 2021.
Santa will also have to watch for the return of rain showers to the Midwest, though best chances for Christmas Eve night rain is found near and west of the Mississippi River. Rain will chances will hold there into early Monday morning, but the rest of us don't stay dry for long.
Widespread rain showers appear likely to move in to the area late Christmas morning, similar to how Friday morning went down. Light rain showers continue into the afternoon and evening before turning a bit more scattered into Monday night.
At this point, models diverge in the handling of this early week system. For now, scattered showers may stick around Tuesday and Wednesday, though it may turn to drizzly and foggy conditions like we are dealing with this weekend.
Regardless, at least some impacts to travel are expected in the couple of days after Christmas, so keep an eye on the forecast as you prepare for your travel back home after the holidays.
