As sunny skies and light winds prevail over northeast Illinois today, Hurricane Felix will be moving west-northwest through the Caribbean, toting sustained winds in excess of 165 m.p.h. Fortunately, Felix is over water -- but unfortunately the warm waters provide additional energy to the expanding storm, allowing it to pose an ever-increasing threat.
By Friday, driven by a strong upper-air low pressure trough, a cold front preceded by showers and thunderstorms will be approaching Chicago from the northwest. At the same time, the southern extremity of this upper-air troughing pattern will be over Texas and northern Mexico, influencing the direction Felix will take as it approaches the coastline of northeast Mexico.
Next weekend could see the coldest air of this new fall season penetrate south of the Ohio River.
Meanwhile, rainfall totals up to 15 inches were reported this past weekend along the South Carolina-Georgia coastline.
--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.
