Fresh snow and modestly milder temperatures greet residents as Saturday gets under
way. Gusty winds generate windchills cold enough to cancel out a good part of that
temperature increase. Wind- driven overnight snows, the latest meteorological assault
on area residents, are predicted to produce 1- to 3-inch accumulations before tapering
to flurries several hours into Saturday morning. Sporadic flurries follow, though better
organized snow showers may return ahead of a fresh surge of arctic air and powerful
jet-stream winds later Saturday. Arctic air sends readings into single digits over much
of the area before the sun rises Sunday.
Friday's daytime thermometer readings peaked at 18 degrees -- a level more typical of
January than early December. Though cold air is no stranger here this time of year, only
25 years of the past 139 have seen readings as cold as in recent days so early in the
season.
STICKING SNOW SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY; TUESDAY STORM POTENTIAL
More accumulating snow hits Sunday night into Monday morning, and a complex storm
with snow or a mix of precipitation will have to be monitored for Tuesday.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
