Golf-ball sized hail bombarded Pecatonica, Ill. (90 miles northwest of Chicago) just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, a stunning example of the sudden appearance of atmospheric instability in the area, and only a harbinger of vigorous weather to follow.
The National Weather Service indicates a risk of severe thunderstorms today across a huge swath of the central United States extending from Chicago to the Gulf Coast.
Locally, the suddenly active spring season is poised to throw a variety of weather punches in upcoming days: thunderstorms, heavy rains, howling winds, mild and then cold temperatures, even some snow.
Today’s rain and thunderstorms diminish tonight. Then mild, moist air surges in on Saturday, accompanied by another round of strong thunderstorms; yet more thunderstorms arrive by Monday, and finally, sharply colder with snow flurries Tuesday.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
