Friday’s howling 40 m.p.h afternoon gusts and February-level temperatures were uncomfortable here. By late evening, wind chills had been below 30° for eight consecutive hours—and were expected to stay there all night. The cold air originated 700 miles north in snow-covered Ontario Province, Canada.
But, the frigid weather spared Chicago from Friday’s deadly severe weather outbreak across 12 states—including downstate Illinois. By 10 p.m. Friday, 40 twisters had been tallied with severe weather ongoing. Five active tornado watches covering nine states late Friday suggested additional overnight touchdowns were likely.
--Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
