The center of the low pressure system that paralyzed the Denver area with 2-3 feet of snow and spawned flash flooding and tornadic storms in Louisiana will pass through northeast Illinois today.
Mild temperatures by late December standards (lower 50s) accompanied by similar dew points will result in a nearly saturated air mass over Chicago. This morning’s rush hour will be hampered by patches of dense fog along with drizzle and light rain.
Today will start off in the lower 50s, marking the 7th time readings have reached that level at Midway Airport this month. Only seven other years since 1928 have seen as many or more 50°-plus temperatures in the Dec. 1-22 period.
Starting later tonight, temperatures will begin a slow downward trend as northwesterly flow sets in. Weekend highs will still reach into the 40s, but Christmas Day will mark the beginning of an extended period where highs will run in the more normal 30s.
--By 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.
