Here comes the weekend; here comes the rain

Chicago's daily normal high temperatures do not reach the lower 60s for another six
weeks (until April 21), but area residents will enjoy a second day of late-April-like
readings Friday as temperatures push above 60 degrees. Enjoy it while it lasts, because today
is likely to be the best day in the next two weeks. Cloudiness gradually increases today;
rain and possible thunderstorms arrive at night, then continue through Saturday and
Sunday. Rain totals, possibly in excess of 2 inches, are anticipated before the system
finally departs the area late Sunday. High water in flood-prone areas of metropolitan Chicago
cannot be ruled out. Chicago's weather takes a wintry turn by Wednesday. Upper winds turn
northwest and arctic air arrives mid-week, then settles in for a multi-day stay.

THURSDAY -- WARMEST IN 120 DAYS
Chicagoans basked in relatively warm temperatures Thursday, and vigorous southerly winds
that gusted at times to 40 m.p.h. carried the mild air right to the lake shore. The city
logged an official high of 65 degrees Thursday, the mildest reading here in four months
(since 71 degrees on Nov. 5), and 29 degrees above the year-earlier temperature of 36
degrees.
--By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist