A strong blocking pattern aloft will hold low pressure systems to the west; and when they move, is expected to steer showers and thunderstorms well to the south of Chicago during the week ahead. With persistent high pressure centered just to the east, surface winds will have an easterly component much of the time. The off-Lake Michigan flow will be light; muting the extent of the normal cooling impact. As a result daily high temperatures away from the lake should reach well into the 80s with 70° highs for the most part restricted to areas in the vicinity of the shoreline. Indications are the strong blocking pattern aloft will persist through next weekend, finally giving way to a cold front early the following week.
Saturday there were numerous severe t-storm reports,most occurring in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Three tornadoes were reported in the northern New Mexico counties of Sandoval and Santa Fe.
--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.
