The surging temperatures predicted to sweep into Chicago on powerhouse southerly
winds this weekend are the product of a mammoth winter storm churning across the
Rockies. The system has prompted warnings for snow and blizzard conditions across
sections of 21 states on its cold side. However, its howling frontside winds -- likely to
blow at more than 70 m.p.h. not more than 3,000 feet above the ground later Saturday
into Sunday while gusting above 40 m.p.h. at the surface here -- are to boost
temperatures by Sunday afternoon more than 40 degrees above Friday's single-digit
lows. Sunday highs are to surge into the low 50s.
Fifty-degree temperatures are not unusual here in December. All but 24 of the past 138
years have produced a 50-degree high, and there have been 439 such readings in
December over the term of Chicago weather records since 1871.
NORTHEAST REELING AFTER
DEVASTATING ICE STORM
More than 1 million households across six states from New Jersey to Maine were
without electricity Friday in the wake of a huge ice storm. Officials fear restoration of
power may not come until late next week.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
