A major early April storm gathers strength Saturday as it moves out of
Colorado into Kansas and heads for northern Missouri. Blizzard
conditions are forecast to develop over northeast Colorado and Nebraska
on Saturday and move into southeastern South Dakota, northwest Iowa and
southern Minnesota, with a foot or more of snow expected in those areas
Sunday. A winter storm watch is in effect for southwestern Wisconsin
Saturday night and Sunday. An extensive band of rain will spread east
and north of the low's center.
Chicago in for rain, then snow
The eastern edge of the rain shield should reach Chicago late Saturday
with rain continuing Sunday as the low moves through Illinois. An inch
or more of rain is possible, which could force swollen Illinois Rivers
out of their banks. Once the storm center reaches eastern Indiana,
strong northerly winds will pull colder air into northeast Illinois, and
rain will change to heavy wet snow Sunday night. The Chicago area could
experience significant accumulations as the snow is expected to continue
through Monday. Heavier lake-enhanced snow could move from the city's
West Side to the south as winds shift from the northeast to the north
and northwest.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
