Abundant sunshine and strong southwest flow today should result in Chicago’s highest temperatures so far this year. Highs near 90° in some locations south and far west are not out of the question.
However, lightning should be visible to the northwest later tonight as a cold front approaches. By Tuesday morning, the cold front will be moving into the metro area with showers and thunderstorms occurring or imminent. As the day progresses, winds will shift to the north and temperatures will fall through the 60s. Tuesday’s half-inch or more rains may be enhanced slightly in some parts of the area Wednesday as cold air aloft generates some spotty brief showers, but that should be about it for rain here until early next week.
A huge blocking high pressure ridge aloft pattern will migrate slowly across the northern Plains the rest of the week through next weekend until finally passing to the east, allowing the next chance of rain Tuesday, May 22.
--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.
