Chicagoans, made weary by the frequent bouts of harsh weather that have characterized
this young winter season, are about to experience yet another vigorous atmospheric event.
This time around, though, it's to be a surprise on the mild side. Thursday's frigid
readings, biting winds and subzero windchill temperatures yield quickly to comparatively mild
air, clouds, fog and rain that arrives Friday and continues into Saturday. A period of
early ice may precede Friday's rain.
WEEKEND FLOOD THREAT
Temperatures in the 40s, rapid snow melt and potentially heavy rain, even a few
thunderstorms, suggests the threat of flooding on area rivers this weekend.
TSUNAMI REMEMBRANCE
And lest we forget, Christmastime marks the fourth anniversary of a staggering natural
catastrophe: The Indian Ocean earthquake and resultant tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives
in coastal areas around the ocean basin. Residents in affected areas there are still
struggling to put their lives back together.
--By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
