Ice forms on Rock River as hazardous cold alert issued for Sauk Valley

Surface ice forms on the Rock River west of the Peoria Avenue bridge in Dixon on Thursday.

The Sauk Valley is included in a hazardous weather outlook issued Thursday by the National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities as bitter cold continues to assail the region.

Surface ice was forming on the Rock River about 2,000 feet west of the dam in Dixon on Thursday morning.

Carroll, Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Bureau counties are included in a risk alert for excessive cold, a carryover from Thursday night’s subzero temps.

Friday daytime temperatures will reach near 19 under sunny skies, but wind chills could dip down to minus 10 degrees.

South winds will increase with 20 mph gusts Friday evening. Overnight temps will be around 9 degrees and wind chills at zero.

Saturday will have a high near 27. There is a 30 percent chance of snow after midnight with a low around 9 degrees.

Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a high of 22. Overnight, temps will drop to 9.

The extended forecast shows that light snow is possible several times through Tuesday. The service said it is too early to anticipate snowfall amounts from fast-moving storm systems. Motorists should consult forecasts before making any trips, the service advised.