Tracking a storm system with multiple threats
Another powerful winter weather system has descended upon the nation’s midsection, and this one is huge. Its cloud shield today extends from Arizona east to the Carolinas and from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico north to Lake Superior and Ontario Province, Canada.
Precipitation associated with the system is falling from northwest Mexico to Minnesota, and the precipitation ranges from severe thunderstorms in the lower Mississippi Valley and blizzard conditions in the Great Plains to rain, drizzle and fog in the Midwest.
Thunderstorms in Texas triggered at least 15 tornadoes Friday afternoon, and the threat of severe storms shifts east across Louisiana and Mississippi today.
Area temperatures surged into the 50s Friday—a level that history tells us will be achieved only about one day in 10 in late December. Mild air persists today, but clouds and chilly lake winds temper readings somewhat.
--By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist