Powerful winds sweep the area Saturday, gusting as high as 40-50 m.p.h. in the afternoon and evening. Winds of that strength are capable of producing some damage. The third autumn storm in a week is behind the high wind threat. Only days ago, waves of rain associated with this system drenched mountainous sections of southern California with 5”+ of rain. The storm’s trek across the Rockies delivered 4-8” of wind-driven snow to Colorado Friday, allowing some ski resorts to open. At the same time, the system’s warm south winds sent temperatures soaring 32 degrees above normal across the Plains, setting records at Mitchell, S.D., (77°); Bismarck, N.D. (70°); and both Valentine and North Platte, Neb. (82°).
Chicago closes in on its 1949 record of 70° Saturday, a level 20 degrees above normal. For the 10th time in November’s first 12 days the mercury will exceed 60°. That’s only happened once before between Nov. 1-12—in 1964.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
