April’s comparatively strong sunlight takes a bit of the edge off the February level chill Friday. Peak temperatures, which usually reach the mid 50s this time of year, are to register double-digit deficits for a third consecutive day. The chill as well as wind velocities are likely to strengthen a bit Friday night and Saturday. Moisture off the Atlantic rotating southwestward around a huge storm, slowed to a veritable standstill by atmospheric blocking in northern Canada, sweeps back into Chicago triggering snow flurries and some better organized snow showers beginning tonight. This assures less sunlight and puts the 71-year old Saturday record for the coldest April 7th on the books (32° set in 1936) within reach.
As Chicagoans shiver, residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are shoveling. A record breaking April storm deposited up to 38” of snow. Marquette, Michigan’s 33.6” by late Thursday was the most ever for the month and more is predicted off Lake Superior.
--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.
