The final lake-effect rains of this cool cycle pull out of the city later Thursday—but, not before some of the chilly showers ride NNE winds, blowing several thousand feet above ground-level, as much as 30 to 40 miles inland. A gradual breakdown in these winds is behind the predicted end of cloud and precipitation formation.
The wind-free environment predicted to take hold Thursday night threatens fairly widespread frost before a multiday warm-up begins Friday. Highs are to surge from the 50s to the 60s Saturday and near 70° Sunday. It’s to become the biggest “warm-up” here in two weeks. 60% of years since 1970 have produced at least one additional 70° beyond this date.
The rebound couldn’t occur at a better time. With only 19% of possible sunshine recorded over the past week, daytime highs have averaged 51.2°—a reading 17° lower than a comparable period one year ago.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
