Mild Thursday in Riverbend, With More Clouds and a Small Rain Chance

Thursday morning starts partly cloudy across the Riverbend, with Alton reporting 61 degrees just before 7 a.m. It feels like 62, and a north-northeast breeze is moving at about 2 mph. Visibility is 10 miles, with no rain recorded over the past 24 hours. A light layer may be handy for the trip to school or work.

By afternoon, expect mostly cloudy skies and a high of 72. East-northeast winds will pick up to about 6 mph, with gusts near 10 mph. The daytime rain chance is 25%, though no measurable rainfall is forecast. Keep an umbrella within reach rather than scrapping outdoor plans.

For anyone fitting in a lunchtime walk or yardwork, the UV index reaches a moderate 3. Air quality is rated good, with an index of 26.

Evening brings sunset at 6:55 p.m., a useful cutoff to keep in mind for outdoor chores. Winds turn easterly at about 5 mph for the night.

Overnight, temperatures settle to a low of 60, and the rain chance drops to 4%. A late dog walk should require little weather planning beyond deciding whether to grab a jacket.

On the allergy front, ragweed is the main concern, rated high with an index of 275. Grass, tree pollen and mold are all rated low.

Friday brings a high of 73 and a low of 58, with limited sunshine and a 20% daytime rain chance. Expect east winds near 6 mph.

Get the latest updates on weather conditions here: RiverBender.com/weather.