Southerly winds generating low-level cloudiness, fog and a drizzle/light shower mix are the driving forces behind an expected rapid snowmelt over northeast Illinois this weekend. Temperatures rise steadily into the lower 40s today, hover at that level overnight, and then climb into the lower 50s Sunday -- possibly approaching the record high of 54 degrees set 101 years ago. This strong southerly flow over the central Plains and Midwest has been set up by a monster low pressure system off the northwest U.S. coast. Winds gusting over 100 m.p.h. have pounded northern California. Santa Clara, Ben Lomond and Big Sur, all south of San Francisco, respectively received 10, 8 and over 6 inches of rain. Meanwhile, just to the east in the higher Sierras, Aspendell had 16 inches of snow in 4 hours and Placer had 163 m.p.h. winds.
The storm will move across the Rockies, developing a low in the central Plains that will bring heavy rains and potential flooding here early next week.
--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.
