Rain has never fallen any heavier in San Diego than on Wednesday. The 2.67” deluge surpassed any Oct. 27 total since 1850. The only heavier 24-hour rain there occurred 67 years ago on Feb. 6, 1937, when 2.71” fell. Remarkably, Wednesday’s downpours bring that city’s October, 2004 total to 4.49”—an amount which dwarfs the 0.44” considered normal for the month.
The huge autumn storm behind southern California’s record rain is roaring across the Rockies, burying mountainous areas beneath 1-3 feet of snow for the second time this season. The system is headed for the Midwest, where strong southerly winds Friday are to initiate vigorous warming—but may provoke a significant severe weather outbreak into Friday night. The predicted 74° Chicago high may be among the city’s final 70s of the year. Records indicate only one additional 70° occurs on average—and only about half the time.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
