Chicagoans, it would seem, are growing accustomed to wet weather. The city struggled
through the second-wettest September in 138 years of Chicago weather history, and
computer models now suggest another rainy pattern is establishing itself this week.
Don't expect a repeat of September's deluges, but be advised that rain is mentioned in
Chicago's weather forecasts on five of the next seven days.
Two distinct storm systems head our way this week. The first, the weakened remnant of
a powerful system that blasted into the Pacific Northwest, brings rain to Chicago
Tuesday and Wednesday. Cold air accompanying that system put 10 to 20 inches of
snow across some of the higher mountain elevations of Colorado on Sunday.
WASHOUT NEXT WEEKEND?
Computer models indicate that yet another storm system has Chicago and the Midwest
in its sights toward the weekend, and early indications are that it could be a real
drencher. A strong storm -- slow-moving and dripping with moisture from the Gulf of
Mexico -- is likely to bring rain into the area late Friday, with possibly significant rain
totals occurring on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
--By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
