Thundery rains raise specter of river flooding

Precipitation totals resulting from bouts of rain and thunderstorms today into Friday and again late Saturday into Monday appear sufficient to terminate drought conditions that have persisted across northern Illinois since March, 2005.
After protracted drought, the moisture is welcome, but two potent weather systems—the second following quickly on the feels of the first—could lead to minor river flooding next week.
Elsewhere, the changing national weather pattern may at long last bring rain to portions of the Southwest that have been rain-free for four months. Phoenix, Ariz., last recorded rain on Oct. 18. Even for desert locations accustomed to lengthy dry spells, aridity of that duration is re-writing the record books.
Today marks the 140th consecutive dry day at Phoenix, blowing away the old record of 101 dry days. Phoenix may finally get rain later this week.