Were the ground completely free of snow, much of the Chicago area would be headed for 50 degrees Saturday. Mild weather's staging a temporary comeback: Not since a 45 degree high nearly three weeks ago on Dec. 2 has weather approaching Saturday's "warmth" been observed here. A winter storm, expected to intensify Saturday night on its trek from Texas to Wisconsin, sets the stage for the surging temperatures as the system's front-side SE winds pump Chicago's readings into the 40s.
The intensification predicted overnight supports strengthening winds and even several embedded thunderstorms. A potent cold front swings across the area between 3-6 a.m. Sunday, the point at which rain transitions to snow. The passage of a powerful upper storm Sunday -- which by all appearances is being inadequately handled by computer models -- could bring accumulating snow for a time. The addition of falling temperatures and howling west winds could make for a challenging day.
--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.
