Fog slashed visibilities to fractions of a mile late Friday evening and continues as Saturday dawns. Its demise will be slow given the limited wind predicted Saturday, and the fact that the area is literally awash in moisture. Soils are saturated, preventing moisture from percolating below the surface; standing water is widespread, especially in southern sections where more rain fell Thursday night and Friday than typically falls in a full March; and many rivers are in flood. Though the current level of flooding is fairly modest, the onset of downpours—possible in the waves of thunderstorms predicted at times over the coming week-—could greatly aggravate the situation.
John Hazzard, who farms in Will County, says rains will have to stop for at least 10 days before spring planting can begin. Planting has started between April 18 and 28, he reports, over the past 10 years.
Rainfall Friday reached 3.41” at Muncie, Ind.; 3.13” at Chatsworth, Ill.; and 2.79” at Remington, Ind.
--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.
