Wednesday offers a second day free of the downpours that have pushed rain tallies for
the spring season and for 2009 to date to the highest levels in 80 years--11.97 inches
and 16.78 inches respectively--based on observations at Midway Airport. Each total is
nearly twice the long-term average.
But the break in the rains isn’t likely to last long. Long-range computer projections
suggest four precipitation-generating systems could visit the Chicago area during the
next two weeks. A suite of two-week computer models puts total rainfall for that period
at 2 to 4 inches--well above the 1.68 inches that typically falls over 14 days this time of year.
The first of the four systems involves the same powerful front that shifted Chicago
winds northeast and slashed temperatures by more than 30 degrees along Lake
Michigan and 20 degrees inland between Monday and Tuesday. The front is predicted to
head north Wednesday night as the same moisture-laden air mass that set off 1-2-inch
rains late Monday over much of the metro area ignites new thunderstorms.
The development of a wave along that front may enhance rainfall Thursday--an
unwelcome development with rivers high and standing water already in parts of the
area.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
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