Winter isn't ready to let go of Chicago area

The week ahead in Chicago will start and end on a cold note -- a sign that winter is not
yet ready to relinquish its icy grip on the city.
After a week of bare ground, a light snow covered the area Saturday. The ground should
remain at least partially snow-covered into Tuesday before temperatures surge into the
40s, triggering a rapid departure of any remaining snow.
MIDWEEK STORM SYSTEM TO START RAINY BUT END SNOWY
That warmth will arrive ahead of a vigorous storm system slated to pass south of the
city through central Illinois. The storm will start out as a rain producer Tuesday night,
but as colder air feeds back into the city on gusty northeast winds on the system's western
flank, the precipitation should quickly change to snow on Wednesday. Several inches of
snow could accumulate before diminishing to flurries late in the day.
The rest of the week will take on a wintry feel with highs in the 20s and 30s. Some snow
is possible as a weather disturbance moves through the area Friday night and Saturday
and more lake-effect snow will occur in the Michigan and Indiana snowbelts.
--By Steve Kahn, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist