Midwest Frost, Rain and Gusty Winds Expected

Frost advisories and freeze warnings cover northern and central Illinois, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa as overnight lows dip into the 20s–30s, and gardeners are urged to protect vulnerable outdoor plants. Daytime highs will moderate into the 40s–60s (mid‑50s common) with a brief milder airmass this weekend before breezy conditions return. A very dry Gulf Coast airmass will produce cool nights and warm afternoons in Louisiana (around 80–85°F) before moisture returns Friday and a storm tracking from Texas into the Midwest brings widespread rain Saturday–Sunday, with 1–3 inches possible and a few stronger storms. Michigan will be in a rainy, gusty pattern through Thursday with wind gusts to 35–40 mph, localized rainfall up to an inch, lake‑enhanced showers and a chance of graupel or snowflakes overnight before clearing and a weekend warm‑up. The calmer, more seasonal stretch is expected to break late in the weekend as stronger southerly winds and an approaching low bring renewed rain early next week across parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest. After a generally wet week in parts of the Southeast and Midlands, showers should taper and a drying trend should begin, though pockets of afternoon storms and elevated coastal water levels (minor coastal flooding) are possible around Saturday night.