Waves of thunderstorms unleashed blinding downpours on already waterlogged southern Midwest soil Thursday. The runoff which resulted swept over roadways and forced farmers from their fields. Water over a roadway a mile east of Winona in far southern Missouri was so high that at least one motorist had to be rescued. Some of the heaviest Missouri rainfalls Thursday included 3.50” at Winona—more than a full May’s typical rainfall in Chicago—2.09” at Poplar Bluff, and 1.32” at Farmington.
Up to now, cool easterly winds have acted as a powerful buffer to the northbound moisture responsible for big rains to Chicago’s south. But, persistent southerly winds above the surface are to chip away at the dry air, slowly saturating the atmosphere. The result by Friday afternoon includes cloudier skies and growing prospects for some scattered light showers, becoming more numerous Friday night.
--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.
