After last week’s polar vortex, Charleston has been experiencing warmer temperatures going into the mid-fifties.

Everett Lau, WEIU Newswatch’s local forecaster, said these temperature changes are not normal for this time of year.

“It’s not uncommon to see temperatures shoot up for a few days in the winter, but colder weather usually returns pretty quickly as the jet stream drops south once again, allowing cold air to stream in from Canada,” Lau said. “When the jet stream allows southerly winds to pull in warm, moist air from the gulf.”

The jet stream is a channel of fast moving air in the upper atmosphere that separates warm and cold temperature.

Tuesday, the temperatures will dip back down into highs in the mid-forties, but will be back in the fifties on Wednesday and Thursday following a warm front lifting through.

The front will stall in central Illinois, which could mean potential rainfall Tuesday night going into Thursday afternoon. Coles County rain totals may exceed two inches during that time.

A cold front will come through on Thursday that will drop the temperature highs down into the mid-twenties for Friday.

Lau says people in the area should prepare to dress for changing weather.

“Dig out the rain gear for mid-week, but keep the coats, hats and gloves handy because they’ll be needed this weekend,” Lau said.

Freshman undecided major Alex Secrest said he has enjoyed the warm weather after last week’s polar vortex.

“I like that it’s not raining, but I don’t mind the cold as long as it’s not super windy,” Secrest said. “Cold and rainy weather is the worst weather.”

However, Secrest said he is not very happy about the weather warming up.

“I’ll just want it to be warm all the time,” Secrest said. “I’m going to miss it when it’s gone.”

Allie Alexander, a junior special education major, said she was excited to get out of classes for the cold weather last week.

“I was happy that I didn’t have to leave my room,” Alexander said. “If I had to go outside I probably would’ve been more miserable.”

However, Alexander said she prefers warm weather.

“I’m more of a warm weather person,” Alexander said. “I’m not really excited to be outside and be freezing walking to class.”

To keep up to date with the weather over the week, Lau suggests using information from local forecasters rather than apps to avoid inaccurate forecasting.

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].