After digging out of the biggest snow of the season earlier this week, Chicago is in the midst of a warming trend. The warming trend is forecast to continue through much of this weekend. After a bright, mild, and beautiful day today, a spring storm is expected to boost temperatures even more. With the help of gusty southwest winds, its a setup where temperatures will go from the 40s to day to the upper 40s and possibly 50s on Sunday.
But with the gusty winds and milder air comes the threat for wet weather this weekend.
Precip. Type:
- Rain - Saturday through Sunday afternoon.
- Rain and/or snow - Sunday evening/night.
Timing: Light spotty or isolated rain showers will move into the region Saturday morning. A more widespread and moderate to heavy rainfall will develop from west to east in the evening and/or at night (mainly after 8pm). The heaviest rainfall will occur after 10pm CST Saturday night and before 6am CST Sunday morning. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. Much of the rain will come to an end after noon on Sunday. Light isolated to scattered rain showers may linger through the afternoon and evening on Sunday. Any lingering rain showers Sunday evening could mix with or change or to a few wet snow flakes (mainly after 7pm) as temps will fall through the afternoon on Sunday after a cold front passes the region.
Coverage: Rain coverage will go from 20-30% of the metro area Saturday morning to over 90% late Saturday night. Coverage drops from over 90% late Saturday night to 20-30% of the metro area by Sunday evening.
Rain Amounts: 1/2 inch to an inch with locally higher amounts.
Impacts: Impacts will be minor to moderate due to the timing of the storm event. The main concern will be the potential for flooding along area rivers and streams. The combination of rapid snow melt, moderate to heavy rainfall, and still frozen ground beneath the surface could lead to surface runoff and flooding (especially in low-lying areas).
Synopsis:
A developing "Low" pressure system (storm) will move over the central Plains late tonight into Saturday and deepen (strengthen). Ahead of the approaching storm system will be extensive cloud cover and milder air from the Southern U.S. Precipitation will be spotty/isolated Saturday morning. Precipitation will mainly be light rain but could initially mix with a few ice pellets before warmer temps filter the region. Coverage and intensity of precip. will become numerous and more intense late in the day on Saturday. Rainfall during the night could be heavy at times and could be accompanied with thunder (though the chance is pretty low). On Sunday the center of the storm moves east of the region as does a cold front. Temperatures will start off in the upper 40s to lower 50s before tumbling during the afternoon. By evening on Sunday, temperatures will be in the 30s. Any lingering rain showers could mix and/or turn to a few wet snow flakes. No snow accumulation is expected.
Complete Forecast
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, breezy, and mild. Isolated or spotty showers in the morning grow into a heavier rainfall late. Highs in the mid 40s. Winds southwest 10-20 mph with gust to 35 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with falling temperatures. Highs in the lower 50s. Winds southwest becoming northwest 10-20 mph.
Monday: Partly cloudy with the slight chance for rain or flurries. Highs in the mid 30s. Winds northwest 5-15 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and mild. Highs in the lower 40s. Winds southwest 5-15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and mild. Highs in the lower 40s. Winds southwest 5-15 mph.
Thursday: Partly cloudy and mild with the chance for rain. Highs in the lower 40s. Winds west 5-15 mph.
Friday: Partly cloudy and cooler. Highs in the mid 30s. Winds northwest 10-20 mph.
8-15 day temperature trend outlook
Saturday Mar. 16: Highs in the 30s.
Sunday Mar. 17: Highs in the 30s.
Monday Mar. 18: Highs in the 30s.
Tuesday Mar. 19: Highs in the 40s.
Wednesday Mar. 20: Highs in the 30s.
Thursday Mar. 21: Highs in the 30s.
Friday Mar. 22: Highs in the 40s.
Saturday Mar. 23: Highs in the 30s.
Sunday Mar. 24:Highs in the 30s.
Prepared by Meteorologist Andrei Evbuoma on
Saturday, March 8, 2013 at 9:00 P.M. CST
Copyright © 2013 by Andrei Evbuoma
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