Marengo Weather: The Week Ahead

We open the week at 65° under overcast skies, with lows near 39°. That's about 17 degrees above the seasonal average of 48° for late March in Marengo. Enjoy it. Wind out of the southwest at 16 mph. Dry all day.

Here's where it gets interesting. Highs jump to 79°, which is closer to mid-May than late March. The warm air rides ahead of a front that's still a couple days out. Clouds build through the day, and winds pick up to 21 mph with gusts higher. A stray shower is possible late, but most of the day stays dry.

The front's influence starts to show. Still warm at 75°, but rain moves in: 73% chance, and it could be heavy at times. Winds stay gusty at 23 mph. This is the last of the warm air. Lows drop to 52° overnight as the cold starts filtering in behind the front.

The crash begins. Highs fall 25 degrees to just 50°, and it feels worse with 21 mph winds. Rain chances linger at 60%. The seasonal average for April 1 in our area is about 53°, so we're right at normal, but coming off 75° yesterday, it'll feel raw. Lows near 32°.

The cold deepens. Highs reach only 33° with lows near 23°. That's 20 degrees below the seasonal norm. Snow is likely, 70% chance, and winds at 21 mph will make it feel even colder. If you're still thinking about garden planting, hold off.

Slow recovery starts. Highs reach 40°, still well below normal. Rain or mixed precipitation at 50% chance. The worst of the cold is behind us, but it's not pleasant. Fog possible in the morning.

We end the week back near 65°, a 32-degree rebound from Thursday. The pattern is trying to reset toward spring, but this kind of volatility is the signature of late March in the Midwest. Rain chances at 55% as another system moves through. Lows near 35°.