The year is off to quite a start. Even before the overnight rains, Chicago's precipitation
tally was closing in on 9.75 inches--an amount well ahead of the most recent 30-year
average of 6.25 inches. It is the sixth-wettest open tot a year in 138 years. It's little
wonder Lake Michigan's water level is running 13 inches ahead of the same time a year
ago.
With the growing season fast approaching, farmers will be closely monitoring
precipitation trends. Since March 1, Chicago's precipitation has fallen at nearly twice the
typical rate, totaling 5.2 inches. The period averages 2.87 inches.
South suburban areas basked in mild spring weather Thursday before winds shifted
northerly and a chill that gripped much of the area sent temperatures crashing.
By comparison, northeast winds limited readings up and down the Illinois and
Wisconsin shorelines to the 30s and 40s.
Severe weather breaks out as another storm looms
Thunderstorms towering more than 40,000 feet unleashed golf-ball-size hailstones
Downstate. At least 10 twisters dipped skies across Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana
and Tennessee.
