Spring is finally sinking in after 3 days in the 70s
What a change in Chicago’s weather the past three days. Until Wednesday, area residents
couldn’t buy a 70-degree temperature. It seemed it would never get warm. But as part of
this spring’s most stunning weather reversal, Friday brought a third-consecutive day with
readings in the 70s over a majority of the Chicago area. This weekend will produce highs
over much of the area 20- to 25-degrees warmer than a week ago. The 75-degree high at
O’Hare and 76 at Midway on Friday were the warmest readings of 2008. In contrast, North
Shore communities from Highland Park to Waukegan and Kenosha shivered in 40s and
50s much of the day. But even there, chilly east winds finally broke late in the day,
allowing temperatures to surge in all but areas near the Wisconsin line. Cloudier weather
grips Chicago on Saturday—though not without some cloud breaks and passing sunshine.
3-INCH RAINS DOUSE SECTIONS OF WATERLOGGED IOWA
What’s left of downpours that slapped Belle Plaine, Iowa, on Friday with 3.25 inches while
drenching Waterloo with 2.39 and Ottumwa with 2.28, brings scattered showers and
possibly a thunderstorm here.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune