An unusually strong storm system is pushing across the eastern US today after record warmth and very heavy rains in the central US on Tuesday. A total of 302 high temperature records were set yesterday, with 290 record high minimum records. New record highs were set for Chicago at 63 and Rockford at 62. Accompanying the heavy rains were severe storms, especially south. As of this writing at least two deaths are reported from storms overnight and this morning. Tornadoes are reported north of Atlanta midday.
Accompanying the record warm push was very heavy rain. The graphic from the NWS shows the precipitation amounts beginning Sunday morning when the warm air push began over the central US. A very broad zone of 2 - 2 1/2 inches with local amounts of 3+. My total 3 day amount was 2.49 inches. The past 24 hour rainfall in the Chicago metro area was very generally from 1.5 to 2 inches. All the metro area reports can be found here and here.
Unfortunately all that warmth and rain is rapidly coming to an end. A cold front moved through the metro area last night. Morning readings in the 30s will fall to overnight lows to only around 10 by morning. The high tomorrow will only be in the mid teens with the early Friday morning low around 0 in the city and -3 to -7 outlying areas, especially northwest. The high Friday only around 10. The light rain over the area this morning will gradually change to light snow. Little if any accumulation for the city ranging to a couple of inches in the far northwest sections of the metro area toward the Wisconsin border.
Late Thursday and Thursday night an upper level disturbance will move over the metro area. Behind this will be the sub zero readings for Friday morning. Some flurries or very light snow will accompany the disturbance. A very light dusting may accumulate early Thursday night in spots. A better chance of some fluffy accumulation will be late Friday night into Saturday as some warmer air begins to move into the area. Highs on Saturday are expected to rise into the low 20s.
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