Marathoners headed for soggy start, windy finish Sunday

There seems little doubt Sunday is on track to become this weekend’s least appealing day meteorologically. Chilly raindrops—the aftermath of downpours predicted to sweep into the area Saturday night (after far lighter, more sporadic sprinkles or brief showers during the day)—may linger long enough to greet the tens of thousands of runners in town for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as it begins at 8 a.m. in a low 40° environment. Strengthening NW winds won’t be far behind. Gusts to 25-30 m.p.h. could be in place by late morning, a development likely to send temperatures tumbling to December-level mid-30s Sunday afternoon when snow flurries may arrive.
This extends the cooler and wetter than normal legacy of fall 2006’s weekends to date at Chicago. Seven of the opening eight weekends this season have hosted at least a day of measurable rain. Overall, Saturdays and Sundays since Sept. 2 have averaged 2 degrees below normal.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist