With the west-east jet stream flow aloft positioned to the north in Wisconsin, the major storm track will be along and north of the U.S.-Canadian border almost the entire week ahead. This translates into a mild—even warm at times—next six days. The normal highs the second week of April are in the mid 50s, while forecast highs Monday through next Saturday are expected to average some 15 degrees above that figure.
The big warm-up comes toward week’s end. Next Saturday, all the atmospheric ingredients (including warm air streaming into Illinois on the back of south winds) come together to give Chicagoans their first 80° of 2006.
This week’s weather pattern portends a respite from the severe weather outburst experienced from the Rockies to the East Coast this past week. However, the West Coast—especially northern and central California—is primed for another siege of heavy rains, heavy snow in the mountains and possible flooding.
--Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
