Holiday warmth: Rockford breaks record for 50-degree December days

December 27, 2021|By Kevin Haas|In Local, Rockford, Trending
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Oh the weather outside has been anything but frightful this month.

The unseasonable warmth on Christmas Day marked the 11th day in December with high temperatures above 50 degrees, breaking an 80-year-old record in Rockford, according to the National Weather Service.

The previous record was set in 1941 and matched in 2015.

The average high temperature has been 45.7 degrees so far this month, compared to the normal average high of 35.

The warmest stretch this month came starting Dec. 11, when there were six straight days above 50 degrees, including two days warmer than 60 degrees. The high this month was 69 degrees on Dec. 15, followed by 68 degrees the next day, according to National Weather Service data.

Warmer than average temperatures are expected to continue today, with a high around 42, according to the NWS forecast. That could turn to a mix of rain and snow by Tuesday with a high around 36.

People walk along trails at Rock Cut State Park on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Loves Park. The 50-degree high set a record for most such days in December in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.