The ingredients necessary for turbulent weather are falling into place and the atmosphere is poised to deliver heavy rain to the Chicago area today. Severe thunderstorms, too, are likely, and much of Illinois and Indiana lies within a broad area which the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted for potentially violent activity this afternoon.
The boundary between air masses of contrasting temperature often acts as a focus for thunderstorm generation, and such a boundary lies just to the south of the city area. While Chicago experiences daytime temperatures in the 70s, afternoon readings will top 90º in sunny locations downstate.
Moisture, also, is abundant. Dew point temperatures 70º+ lie just to the south of the city and storms tapping that juicy air will be copious rain-producers.
Finally, steering winds aloft are rather weak and thunderstorms will be slow moving, adding further to the rain potential.
-Richard Koeneman, WGN-TV Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
