The remnants of Arlene are slowly breaking up over Indiana today, but cloud cover and rain associated with the dissipating low pressure center still persist. Rain is expected to fall primarily over the Hoosier State today, but the Chicago metro area hovers on the western fringe and could be the recipient of needed precipitation. The U.S. Drought Monitor has categorized northeast Illinois in the early stages of drought.
Arlene storm-total rainfall was over 5 inches at Fort Myers and Naples, Fla., and 3 to 5 inches were reported across Alabama and Mississippi.
A significant change in weather should occur Tuesday as a cold front pushes through and winds shift northwest. Under the influence of cool Canadian high pressure, the rest of the week will see highs averaging some 5 to 10 degrees below normal with abundant sunshine and dry conditions. Next weekend the high will shift east, and southerly flow will signal the start of a big warm-up.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
