By the time most Chicagoans arise, temperatures will be in the 20s and falling with snow caught up and blowing horizontally by 30-40 m.p.h. west winds. Low pressure will have passed over NE Illinois overnight with its associated cold front sweeping through the metro area between 3 and 5 a.m. Prior to the cold frontal passage, despite steady rain, south winds pushed temperatures to their highest Saturday levels just before midnight. Sunday's highs, probably near 50 degrees, will be recorded shortly after midnight. By noon Sunday, readings will most likely sink below 20 degrees -- an approximately 30-degree drop in less than 12 hours. While heaviest snow will occur well to the northwest in Wisconsin, at least 1 to 2 inch accumulations will occur here, most likely in far west and north portions of the area. Outdoor activities and travel will be hazardous while wind chills are expected to fall into single digits before noon and below zero later this afternoon and tonight.
--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.
