Season's snowfall passes 2 feet--more on way

Measurable snow fell Wednesday for the 19th time, totaling 2 inches at O'Hare
International Airport since Tuesday and pushing the city's official tally past the 2 foot mark
(24.5 inches). The 2008-09 season is one of only five in the past 124 years in which
measurable snow (0.1-inch or more) has fallen that frequently. Over the term of official snow
records dating back to 1884, an average of 10 measurable snows has visited the area by Jan.
8 with a seasonal snow tally to date closer to 12 inches -- half as much as has fallen to
date this season. Nearly 66 percent of the city's seasonal snow typically falls beyond
this date.
While sun emerges from the clouds Thursday, an approaching weather system is to
encourage warm air to surge up and over the cold air mass predicted to remain in place into
Thursday night. That sets up another burst of snowfall Friday morning.

BLUSTERY STORM FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MAY TAP LAKE MOISTURE
More ominous is a Colorado low expected to track across Downstate Illinois and Indiana
Friday night and Saturday. Moisture will be available to this windy system -- including
some moisture off Lake Michigan.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune