Not even a quarter of Chicago’s late January/early February daytime highs match or exceed Friday’s 43° reading—the area’s mildest in 14 days. The last time it was as “warm” here was Jan. 12 when the high hit 48°. It was even milder Friday at Midway (44°) and the lakefront (46°). But, atmospheric changes likely to slash this winter’s ranking as the area’s 13th mildest since 1871 loom. Saturday’s moderate-intensity chill blossoms into a full-blown arctic outbreak Saturday night and Sunday, tempered only by the area’s limited snow cover. But, snow showers are likely to produce a dusting or light accumulations by Sunday in Chicago. Residents of the north-central Indiana and southwest Michigan snowbelts prepare for another eruption of heavier lake-induced snowfall Sat. night/Sunday. It’s a cycle likely to repeat in the coming week.
There’s a good deal of wintry weather ahead: 43% of this area’s “normal” snow often falls beyond this date.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
