January 2006—the first of the past 11 months to run a precipitation surplus—is about to get a good deal wetter. The timing (during this weekend) may not please all area residents, but it can’t be argued that the area, plagued by long-term drought and a 13” moisture shortfall since last March, doesn’t need the rain.
The wet storm sweeping toward the Chicago area is only the latest twist in a month of most unusual weather. At a time of year more suited to snow, heavy rainfall arrives Saturday night and could exceed 1.25” by the time precipitation tapers to sprinkles and ends Sunday afternoon. That’s the equivalent of 72 percent of a full January’s worth of precipitation and may well be the heaviest rain event here in 5 months—since 1.35” fell on Aug. 20.
Readings surge to 50° for a fourth time this month Saturday. Chicago’s 35.3° average temperature since the beginning of the month ranks third warmest of the 135 Januarys on record here.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
