Warm Spell 37 Years Ago This Week

If you were living in the Chicago metro area 37 years ago, you might recall an incredible warm spell that occurred in late February and early March of 1974. The mild weather began February 27 and lasted 11 days. Here are the high temperatures;

February 27...49

February 28...56

March 1.........48

March 2.........71

March 3.........80

March 4.........47

March 5.........57

March 6.........60

March 7.........60

March 8.........55

March 9.........69

Temperatures then fell back to the 30s and 40s for most of the rest of the month, only cracking the 50 degree mark two more times.

The highs for March 2, 3, and 9 are still records that stand today. The 80 degree temperature that occurred March 3 is also noteworthy because it is the earliest date in the year that an 80 degree temperature was ever recorded in Chicago.

Midway Airport was the official Chicago climate station in 1974.

It was mild elsewhere in northern Illinois, including Rockford, where a high of 73 on March 3 set a record. That record was tied in 1983.

Tornado Drill 1000 AM March 1!

Attention TV station, radio station, and cable TV engineers;

The National Weather Service offices serving Illinois will issue test Tornado Warnings Tuesday March 1 at 1000 AM CST, as part of Illinois Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The warnings will be disseminated like actual tornado warnings through NOAA Weather Radio, with the EAS event code TOR. The warnings will also be distributed through Illinois State Police communications, Emergency Managers Weather Information Network, EMnet and other sources.

The text of the warnings will clearly state that these are test messages, however, for automated systems that just read the coded data at the top of the warning, they will appear to be actual tornado warnings.

The purpose of conducting a tornado drill with an actual warning is to make sure that warnings can be issued and disseminated properly, and that emergency officials and media outlets can receive the warning. It is also a good way to make sure your NOAA Weather Radio is working properly – at home, at your place of business, or at your school. Everyone in Illinois is encouraged to take this opportunity to review severe weather procedures and conduct a tornado drill.

February will exit like a lion and March will enter like a lamb.
No significant weather in the short term. We should see mostly seasonal temps over the next few days.
Friday and Saturday Winter makes a return. Chance of mixed precip for the weekend.

 Meteorological winter is defined as the months of December-February.
The snowfall amounts listed below are the top 5 snowfall totals for meteorological winter on record for Rockford and Chicago.  Snowfall amounts listed for 2010-2011 are as of Monday, February 28, 2011 at 6am.  Provided there is no additional snowfall today, these amounts will stand on record.
Official Rockford snowfall data goes from 1905 to present.
Official Chicago snowfall data goes from 1884 to present.

Rockford    (normal is 29.0 inches)
Year (December-February)	Amount of Snowfall
2007- 2008	65.1 inches
1978-1979	63.4 inches
2010-2011	51.2 inches
1993-1994	49.9 inches
2008-2009	49.3 inches

Chicago    (normal is 28.3)
Year (December-February)	Amount of Snowfall
1978-1979	80.6 inches
1977-1978	71.2 inches
1917-1918	59.9 inches
1966-1967	58.1 inches
2010-2011	56.3 inches

...TORNADO WATCHES AND WARNINGS...

TORNADOES ARE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE STORMS THAT OCCUR IN ILLINOIS.
BEING PREPARED FOR A TORNADO CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE.

A TORNADO WATCH MEANS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES ARE
POSSIBLE IN YOUR AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS. BE PREPARED.

A TORNADO WARNING MEANS A TORNADO HAS BEEN SIGHTED BY A TRAINED
STORM SPOTTER OR INTENSE ROTATION THAT WILL LIKELY PRODUCE A
TORNADO HAS BEEN DETECTED BY DOPPLER RADAR. GET TO A PLACE OF
SAFETY IMMEDIATELY.

TOMORROW...TUESDAY MARCH 1 AT 1000 AM CST...A TEST TORNADO WARNING
WILL BE ISSUED FOR ALL ILLINOIS COUNTIES. THE WARNING WILL BE
DISSEMINATED THROUGH NOAA WEATHER RADIO WITH THE TONE ALARM AND SAME
CODES. MANY COMMERCIAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS WILL PARTICIPATE BY
PASSING ALONG THE TEST TORNADO WARNING. IN MANY LOCATIONS SIRENS
WILL ALSO BE TESTED. THE WARNING WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH
EMWIN AND OTHER SUBSCRIPTION WEATHER WARNING SERVICES AND ON THE NWS
WEB PAGES. THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO REVIEW YOUR SEVERE WEATHER
PROCEDURES OR CONDUCT A TORNADO DRILL AT YOUR SCHOOL OR PLACE OF
BUSINESS.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY.

.NOW...
THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND
NORTHWEST INDIANA TONIGHT WITH PRECIPITATION BECOMING MIXED. AREAS
OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN CONTINUE TO OVERSPREAD THE
REGION...GENERALLY NORTH OF A LINE FROM PERU TO JOLIET TO GARY.
PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE OVER TO SNOW FROM THE NORTHWEST AFTER
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION AS PATCHES OF ICE DEVELOP ON
ROADWAYS.

.NOW...

AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO SLIDE
NORTHWARD AHEAD OF A WARM FRONT LATE THIS EVENING WITH INDIVIDUAL
STORM ELEMENTS RACING NORTHEAST 50 TO 60 MPH. PERIODS OF HEAVY
RAIN...SMALL HAIL...AND LIGHTNING WILL CONTINUE FOR PORTIONS OF
NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AS WELL AS NORTHWEST INDIANA.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST
MONDAY.

* TIMING...FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET OCCASIONALLY MIXING WITH SNOW
FROM LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY MONDAY MORNING...THEN
SNOW UNTIL LATE MONDAY MORNING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...ONE TO TWO TENTHS OF AN INCH OF SLEET AND
FREEZING RAIN. TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES.

* HAZARDS...ACCUMULATING SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN CHANGING OVER
TO ACCUMULATING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL CAUSE DANGEROUS DRIVING
CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A summary of what kind of precip is expected tonight and timing.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED:

THUNDERSTORMS...SOME MAY PRODUCE:
SMALL HAIL.
LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND LOCALIZED FLOODING.
A CHANCE OF ACCUMULATING SNOW AND ICE TONIGHT.

AREAS AFFECTED AND TIMING:

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA.
THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL WILL DIMINISH NORTH OF I-90 BY AROUND 7
PM CST...ALONG THE I-80 CORRIDOR BY AROUND MIDNIGHT...AND SOUTH
AND WEST OF THE I-55 CORRIDOR BY AROUND 3 OR 4 AM CST.

HEAVY RAINFALL AND LOCALIZED FLOODING IS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE
REGION TONIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE TO ONE AND A HALF INCHES
IS POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF THE I-80 CORRIDOR.

FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET ARE LIKELY TONIGHT. SLEET ACCUMULATIONS
OF ONE TO 2 TENTHS OF AN INCH ARE POSSIBLE. A GLAZING OF
FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE
NORTHERN TIER COUNTIES ALONG THE WISCONSIN BORDER. 1 TO 2 INCH
ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE ROUGHLY BETWEEN I-90 TO I-80. LESS
THAN AN INCH IS EXPECTED SOUTH OF I-80.

DISCUSSION:

A STRONG STORM SYSTEM APPROACHING THE REGION WILL BRING
SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL
FROM THE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS INTO THE NIGHT. IN ADDITION TO
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...SOME OF THE STORMS MAY PRODUCE SMALL
HAIL.

ADDITIONAL LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE
OVERNIGHT...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF THE I-80 CORRIDOR. LOCALIZED
FLOODING IS POSSIBLE...MAINLY IN LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE
AREAS.

AS COLDER AIR MOVES IN FROM THE NORTH TONIGHT...RAIN WILL CHANGE
TO A PERIOD OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO
SNOW. LIGHT SNOW WILL LINGER INTO MONDAY MORNING.

RECENT RAINFALL HAS LEFT MANY AREA RIVERS NEAR BANKFULL.


.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS AND KANKAKEE RIVERS ARE FORECAST TO
RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY MONDAY AFTERNOON.

HEAVY RAINFALL OCCURRING SUNDAY WILL LEAD TO ADDITIONAL RISES ON
MANY AREA RIVERS...REACHING OR EXCEEDING BANKFULL.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET CHANGING OVER TO
SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM CST
MONDAY.

* TIMING...FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET OCCASIONALLY MIXING WITH SNOW
FROM LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY MONDAY MORNING...THEN SNOW
UNTIL LATE MONDAY MORNING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...ONE TO TWO TENTHS OF AN INCH OF SLEET AND
FREEZING RAIN. TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES.

* HAZARDS...ACCUMULATING SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN CHANGING OVER TO
ACCUMULATING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL CAUSE DANGEROUS DRIVING
CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

February 27 through March 5 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois

Severe weather in the form of tornadoes, deadly lightning, flash foods, damaging winds, and destructive hail, strike Illinois each spring, summer and fall, sometimes with incredible violence. 

The National Weather Service urges you to develop a safety plan for use at your home, workplace, school, vehicle, and for outdoor activities. Be aware of severe weather safety rules. Planning ahead and knowing what to do might save your life. For more information visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency web site at http://www.state.il.us/iema/.

Tornado Watches and Warnings

Tornadoes are the most destructive storms that occur in Illinois. Being prepared for a tornado can save your life.

A tornado watch means severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in your area over the next few hours. Be prepared.

A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted by a trained storm spotter, or intense rotation that will likely produce a tornado has been detected by Doppler radar. Get to a place of safety immediately.

Statewide Tornado Drill Tuesday March 1

Tuesday March 1 at 1000 AM CST a test tornado warning will be issued for all Illinois counties. Many locations in Illinois will also test sirens on Tuesday morning.

The test warnings will be disseminated through NOAA Weather Radio with the tone alarm and SAME codes. Many commercial radio and TV stations will participate by passing along the test tornado warning. This would be a good time to review your severe weather procedures or conduct a tornado drill at your school or place of business.

Tornado Safety

In Illinois and Indiana, most tornadoes occur from April through June, during the mid afternoon through early evening hours, but they can occur anytime of day and any month of the year. Last year Illinois had 46 tornadoes, which is close to the 30-year average of 44 tornadoes. In 2006, Illinois set a state record with 124 tornadoes. Illinois ranks fifth in the nation in tornado frequency per square mile.  There was one fatality and 40 injuries from tornadoes in 2010. The strongest tornadoes were rated EF3. One EF3 tornado struck rural Livingston County east of Streator on June 5. Another EF3 tornado occurred near Aroma Park in Kankakee County, also on June 5. The third EF3 tornado was near Lake Petersburg in Menard County on December 31.   

When a tornado threatens, you may only have seconds to save yourself and your family. Have a preparedness plan for your home, school, and workplace. Know where to find the best tornado shelter.

·         In a home, go to the basement and get under the stairwell, or under a heavy piece of furniture. If there is no basement, go to an interior closet, hall or bathroom on the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Cover your head with pillows or sofa cushions.

·         In schools, hospitals, churches and office buildings, go to small interior rooms or halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows. Avoid large open areas with free span roofs such as gymnasiums and cafeterias.

·         In steel and concrete high rise buildings, it is not necessary to get to the lowest floor, but go to interior halls, bathrooms or closets.  Stay away from windows.

·         In shopping centers, avoid large open areas and glass. Seek shelter in bathrooms, small interior spaces and behind counters. Do not attempt to escape in your vehicle. 

·         Abandon mobile homes and vehicles for a nearby reinforced building. As a last resort lie flat in a ditch. Do not seek shelter under an overpass.

Lightning Safety

Lightning is the most frequent important weather threat to personal safety during the thunderstorm season. Keep these lightning safety tips in mind;

Plan ahead and avoid dangerous lightning situations. Check the latest forecast before going outdoors for extended periods. Watch for storms and seek shelter indoors when storms approach.

Lightning often strikes the tallest object. If caught outdoors during a storm, don’t stand next to tall trees or power poles. And don’t be out in an open area where you may be the tallest object. A closed, hard top metal vehicle is safe in a thunderstorm. An open structure such as a picnic shelter will keep you dry but it will not protect you from lightning.

If boating or swimming, get out of the water when storms approach and seek shelter indoors. 

Avoid using electrical appliances, corded telephones and metal plumbing when indoors during a thunderstorm. It is okay to use a cell phone or cordless phone.

The best way to stay safe from lightning is to go indoors as soon as there is a threat. A good way to remember that is “when thunder roars, go indoors!

Look for more information during national lightning safety awareness week June 19 through June 25 or visit www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

    

Flash Flood Safety

A flash flood is a rapid rise in creeks and streams, or serious urban flooding, caused by heavy rain from thunderstorms which poses a threat to life and property. Floods and flash floods kill more people nationwide than any other storm hazard. In Illinois, most flash floods occur in July and August, and they often occur at night.  Last year, two people died in flooding in Illinois.

About half of all flash flood related deaths occur in vehicles. Don’t drive through flooded roads, especially if the water is moving rapidly. Flooded or washed out roads are especially difficult to see at night. Remember, turn around, don't drown.

Don’t let children play near storm drains, creeks or flooded areas.

If you live near a creek or stream, evacuate to higher ground if water rises rapidly or if a flash flood warning is issued.

Urban flooding is also potentially dangerous. Heavy rain that results in flooding of streets, viaducts and underpasses in an urban area can pose a threat to motorists. Heavy rain can also result in flooded basements, ponding of water in low spots and rapid flooding of drainage ditches and storm sewer systems.

March 14 through 18 is national flood safety awareness week. For more information, visit www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.

Severe Thunderstorm Safety

Severe thunderstorms pose a threat to life and property. They produce damaging downburst winds of around 60 mph or greater, and/or large destructive hail one inch diameter or greater. Flooding rains, frequent cloud to ground lightning, and tornadoes are also possible in severe thunderstorms.

A severe thunderstorm watch means severe thunderstorms are possible in the next few hours. Be prepared.

A severe thunderstorm warning means a thunderstorm capable of causing property damage and injury has been sighted or detected by radar. Go indoors and stay away from windows.

Damaging straight line or downburst winds from a thunderstorm can do as much damage as a weak to moderate tornado, so take severe thunderstorm warnings seriously.

Very large hail, golf ball or larger, is not only very destructive, but it occurs with the most violent of storms.

      

NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards and National Weather Service Web Pages

Today, a better understanding of tornadoes, new technology such as Doppler radar, faster communications, and better Skywarn storm spotting networks, allow meteorologists to provide more accurate and timely warnings for destructive tornadoes and severe storms.

But in order for the warnings to be effective, people must receive the warnings in a timely manner and take proper actions to protect themselves.

The best way to receive severe weather watches and warnings is with a tone alert NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards. A weather radio will give you severe weather information direct from your local National Weather Service office. Watches and warnings are preceded by a tone alert that can automatically activate your radio and get your attention with a high pitched alarm – even if storms hit in the middle of the night. Newer S.A.M.E equipped radios can be programmed to only alert you to watches and warnings for a specific county, or group of counties.

In addition, the radios can alert you to a non-weather emergency such as a hazardous material spill or child abduction.

Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics and department stores for 30 to 80 dollars. They are highly recommended for homes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, and businesses. You should also take one along when boating or camping.

You can get up to the minute forecasts, watches, warnings, storm reports, radar images, satellite pictures, climate data, severe weather safety information, and more from NOAA’s National Weather Service online at weather.gov. You can view warnings graphically to see if you are in the path of a warned storm.

For northeast Illinois go to weather.gov/chicago

For northwest Illinois go to weather.gov/quadcities

For central Illinois go to weather.gov/lincoln

For southwest Illinois go to weather.gov/stlouis

For far south Illinois go to weather.gov/paducah 

Each National Weather Service issues a Hazardous Weather Outlook every morning. This product highlights any potentially hazardous weather, including severe storms, that is forecast for the next seven days. The Hazardous Weather Outlook is available on NOAA Weather Radio and on the local NWS web pages. 

..FLASH FREEZE AND ICY TRAVEL POSSIBLE MONDAY MORNING...

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL IS LIKELY THIS EVENING INTO THE FIRST
PART OF THE OVERNIGHT HOURS ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS
AS WELL AS NORTHWEST INDIANA. COLDER AIR IS LIKELY TO MOVE INTO THE
REGION LATE THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS...WHICH COULD
RESULT IN THE RAIN CHANGING TO FREEZING RAIN OR SNOW BEFORE ENDING
OVER FAR NORTHERN ILLINOIS...MAINLY FROM THE NORTHERN SUBURBS WEST
INTO ROCKFORD AND DIXON AREAS. WHILE SIGNIFICANT ICE AND OR SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS DO NOT APPEAR LIKELY...EVEN MINOR ACCUMULATION WOULD
LIKELY RESULT IN TRAVEL BECOMING HAZARDOUS.

WHILE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO END BEFORE THE COLD AIR ARRIVES OVER
MOST OF THE AREA. THE RAIN WILL WASH AWAY ANY LEFT OVER SALT AND
THE PAVEMENT WILL LIKELY REMAIN WET AS TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW
FREEZING INCREASING THE CHANCES OF A FLASH FREEZE WITH AREAS OF
BLACK ICE FORMING. PERSONS WITH TRAVEL PLANS LATE TONIGHT INTO
MONDAY MORNING SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM CST SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A FREEZING
RAIN ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM CST SUNDAY.

* TIMING...LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CONTINUE WITH TEMPERATURES
HOLDING STEADY AROUND OR JUST BELOW FREEZING OVERNIGHT.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS...TRACE AMOUNTS OF ICE ACCUMULATION IS
EXPECTED. ICY PATCHES MAY DEVELOP ON ROADWAYS MAKING TRAVEL
HAZARDOUS.

* OTHER IMPACTS...SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ON LIGHTLY TRAVELED OR
UNTREATED ROADS AND SIDEWALKS...ESPECIALLY ON EXPOSED BRIDGE
DECKS AND OVERPASSES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

NOW...

AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL IMPACT AREAS PRIMARILY ALONG AND
NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80 THROUGH 1100 PM...AS TEMPERATURES WILL
REMAIN IN THE UPPER 20S AND LOWER 30S. ANY UNTREATED ROAD
SURFACES WILL LIKELY BECOME SLICK.

...HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT...

A STRONG STORM SYSTEM TAPPING INTO ABUNDANT GULF MOISTURE WILL
OVERSPREAD THE FORECAST AREA SUNDAY EVENING BRINGING HEAVY RAINFALL
AND THUNDERSTORMS. MINIMAL SPREAD AMONGST FORECAST SOLUTIONS
INDICATES A HIGHER CONFIDENCE THAT WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION TOTALS
BETWEEN 0.75 AND 1.00 INCHES IS LIKELY...ESPECIALLY AREAS ALONG AND
SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80. THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY LEAD TO LOCALIZED
AREAS IN EXCESS OF 1.5 INCHES OF PRECIPITATION.

PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH IS WELL ABOVE NORMAL AND STORAGE
CAPACITY FOR AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS HAS DIMINISHED DUE TO RECENT
SNOWMELT AND RAINFALL. WITH SOILS AT OR NEAR SATURATION ANY
ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION WILL LIKELY BE CONVERTED TO RUNOFF.

SHOULD PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS OCCUR AS FORECAST...AREA RIVERS MAY
APPROACH OR EXCEED BANKFULL CONDITIONS MONDAY INTO TUESDAY...WITH
AN EARLIER RESPONSE IN SMALLER STREAMS. AREAS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE
88 ARE MOST AT RISK TO SEE RIVERS AND STREAMS APPROACH
BANKFULL...WITH SOME RISING TO MINOR FLOODING STAGES.

PERSONS IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND WITH INTERESTS NEAR RIVERS AND
STREAMS SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS.

Still on track for a pretty significant rain-storm Sunday into Monday. Could see an inch or more of rain, with thunderstorms. Spring is coming, hang on tight!

DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

LIGHT SNOW IS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON WITH UP TO AN INCH OR SO OF
ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY NORTH OF INTERSTATES 290 AND
88.

PORTIONS OF THE DES PLAINES RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD...WITH
PORTIONS OF THE FOX...PECATONICA...AND ILLINOIS RIVERS REMAINING
ABOVE BANKFULL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE
SUNDAY NIGHT. HEAVY RAIN COULD RESULT IN SOME LOCALIZED FLOODING
AS WELL AS RENEWED RISES ON AREA RIVERS AND STREAMS.

...NEXT WEEK...FEBRUARY 27 THROUGH MARCH 5...IS ILLINOIS SEVERE
WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK...

SEVERE WEATHER IN THE FORM OF TORNADOES...DEADLY LIGHTNING...FLASH
FLOODS...DAMAGING WINDS...AND DESTRUCTIVE HAIL STRIKE ILLINOIS EACH
SPRING...SUMMER AND FALL...SOMETIMES WITH INCREDIBLE VIOLENCE.

LAST YEAR ILLINOIS HAD 46 TORNADOES...WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE 30 YEAR
AVERAGE OF 44. ILLINOIS RANKS FIFTH IN THE NATION IN FREQUENCY OF
TORNADOES PER SQUARE MILE. THERE WAS ONE FATALITY AND 40 INJURIES
FROM TORNADOES IN 2010. THERE WERE TWO FLOOD RELATED DEATHS...ONE
DEATH AS A RESULT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS...AND ONE
LIGHTNING FATALITY IN ILLINOIS LAST YEAR.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL BRING YOU A SERIES OF
INFORMATIONAL MESSAGES NEXT WEEK...TO BETTER PREPARE YOU FOR THE
SEVERE WEATHER HAZARDS THAT MAY THREATEN YOUR SAFETY.

WE URGE YOU TO DEVELOP A SAFETY PLAN FOR USE AT YOUR HOME...
WORKPLACE...SCHOOL...VEHICLE...AND FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. BE AWARE
OF SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY RULES. PLANNING AHEAD AND KNOWING WHAT
TO DO MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO OR
WWW.STATE.IL.US/IEMA.

...MORNING SNOWFALL ROUNDUP...

   THE FOLLOWING ARE SNOW AMOUNTS FOR THE PREVIOUS 24-HOURS.
   OBSERVATIONS ARE USUALLY TAKEN AT 7 AM.

   24-HOUR SNOWFALL AMOUNTS FOR FRIDAY(02/25/11)...


NORTHERN ILLINOIS                              SNOW
  LOCATION (COUNTY):                           FALL(INCHES)

  PAXTON (FORD).................................4.5
  MILFORD (IROQUOIS)............................4.1
  PAXTON (FORD).................................4.0
  PEOTONE (WILL)................................3.8
  PEOTONE (WILL)................................3.8
  MONEE (WILL)..................................3.6
  FAIRBURY (LIVINGSTON).........................3.0
  PEOTONE (WILL)................................3.0
  STREATOR (LIVINGSTON).........................3.0
  CRETE 3E (WILL)...............................2.9
  BOURBONNAIS (KANKAKEE)........................2.8
  KANKAKEE (KANKAKEE)...........................2.6
  HERSCHER (KANKAKEE)...........................2.5
  PARK FOREST 1NNE (COOK).......................2.1
  CHATSWORTH (LIVINGSTON).......................2.0
  DWIGHT (LIVINGSTON)...........................2.0
  CHATSWORTH (LIVINGSTON).......................2.0
  NEW LENOX 2SE (WILL)..........................2.0
  PARK FOREST (COOK)............................2.0
  ST ANNE (KANKAKEE)............................2.0
  COAL CITY 4NNW (GRUNDY).......................1.6
  HOMEWOOD (COOK)...............................1.5
  WATSEKA 5W (IROQUOIS).........................1.3
  DRESDEN LOCK/DAM (GRUNDY).....................1.0
  LANSING (COOK)................................1.0
  MARSEILLES (LA SALLE).........................1.0
  PAW PAW (LEE).................................1.0
  ROCHELLE (OGLE)...............................1.0
  BOTANIC GARDENS (COOK)........................0.9
  MORRIS 1SW (GRUNDY)...........................0.9
  ORLAND HILLS 1S (COOK)........................0.8
  SENECA 2SSW (LA SALLE)........................0.8
  MORRIS (GRUNDY)...............................0.8
  PALATINE 1E (COOK)............................0.7
  OAK PARK 1NNE (COOK)..........................0.7
  ASHTON (LEE)..................................0.7
  HAWTHORN WOODS 1N (LAKE)......................0.7
  INVERNESS 2S (COOK)...........................0.6
  ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 1SW (COOK)..................0.6
  DIXON 3NNW (LEE)..............................0.6
  CARY 2NE (MCHENRY)............................0.6
  HOMER GLEN 1ENE (WILL)........................0.6
  LAKE ZURICH (LAKE)............................0.6
  MIDWAY 3SW (COOK).............................0.6
  ELGIN (KANE)..................................0.5
  HOFFMAN ESTATES 5W (COOK).....................0.5
  BRIDGEVIEW 1NNW (COOK)........................0.5
  CHICAGO 6ESE (COOK)...........................0.5
  CHICAGO RIDGE (COOK)..........................0.5
  WORTH (COOK)..................................0.5
  ELK GROVE VILLAGE 2WSW (COOK).................0.5
  CORTLAND (DE KALB)............................0.5
  DE KALB (DE KALB).............................0.5
  WESTMONT 1SSE (DU PAGE).......................0.5
  DOWNERS GROVE 2SE (DU PAGE)...................0.5
  COAL CITY (GRUNDY)............................0.5
  AMBOY (LEE)...................................0.5
  LINCOLNSHIRE 1N (LAKE)........................0.5
  LINCOLNSHIRE 1.3WSW (LAKE)....................0.5
  MARSEILLES 6WNW (LA SALLE)....................0.5
  HUNTLEY 4W (MCHENRY)..........................0.5
  ALGONQUIN 1N (MCHENRY)........................0.5
  JOLIET (WILL).................................0.5
  JOLIET LOCK/DAM (WILL)........................0.5
  LA GRANGE (COOK)..............................0.5
  ST CHARLES 7NW (KANE).........................0.5
  WAUCONDA (LAKE)...............................0.5
  DE KALB (DE KALB).............................0.4
  ELGIN (KANE)..................................0.4
  ELK GROVE VILLAGE 1ESE (COOK).................0.4
  LA GRANGE PARK 1SSW (COOK)....................0.4
  ELGIN 1S (KANE)...............................0.4
  ST. CHARLES 6NW (KANE)........................0.4
  OTTAWA 2N (LA SALLE)..........................0.4
  LA SALLE (LA SALLE)...........................0.4
  HOMER GLEN 4WNW (WILL)........................0.4
  MACHESNEY PARK 3ENE (WINNEBAGO)...............0.4
  MUNDELEIN (LAKE)..............................0.4
  OHARE (COOK)..................................0.4
  PLAINFIELD (WILL).............................0.4
  WILLOW SPRINGS (COOK).........................0.4
  WINFIELD (DU PAGE)............................0.4
  SCHAUMBURG 3WSW (COOK)........................0.3
  COUNTRYSIDE 1ENE (COOK).......................0.3
  LINCOLNWOOD 2E (COOK).........................0.3
  GLEN ELLYN 2SSE (DU PAGE).....................0.3
  LISLE 1SE (DU PAGE)...........................0.3
  BURR RIDGE 2SW (DU PAGE)......................0.3
  PERU 1SW (LA SALLE)...........................0.3
  BYRON 3N (OGLE)...............................0.3
  ROSCOE 2ESE (WINNEBAGO).......................0.3
  ROCKFORD 1NW (WINNEBAGO)......................0.3
  ROCKFORD 3NE (WINNEBAGO)......................0.3
  MCHENRY (MCHENRY).............................0.3
  OAK BROOK (DU PAGE)...........................0.3
  PERU (LA SALLE)...............................0.3
  ROSCOE 2SE (WINNEBAGO)........................0.3
  STEWARD (LEE).................................0.3
  BARRINGTON (LAKE).............................0.2
  BATAVIA (KANE)................................0.2
  GLEN ELLYN (DU PAGE)..........................0.2
  OAK PARK 2S (COOK)............................0.2
  GLEN ELLYN 1SE (DU PAGE)......................0.2
  NAPERVILLE 2ENE (DU PAGE).....................0.2
  GENEVA 2ENE (KANE)............................0.2
  ELBURN 3NNE (KANE)............................0.2
  BATAVIA 1WNW (KANE)...........................0.2
  MENDOTA 1N (LA SALLE).........................0.2
  ROMEOVILLE (WILL).............................0.2
  ROCKFORD (WINNEBAGO)..........................0.2
  SHABBONA (DE KALB)............................0.2
  STREAMWOOD (COOK).............................0.2
  LISLE MORTON ARB (DU PAGE)....................0.2
  SUGAR GROVE 1NE (KANE)........................0.1
  BATAVIA 2WNW (KANE)...........................0.1
  GENEVA 1SSW (KANE)............................0.1
  GURNEE 2NE (LAKE).............................0.1
  LAKE VILLA 1SSW (LAKE)........................0.1
  BULL VALLEY 2WNW (MCHENRY)....................0.1
  WONDER LAKE 1WNW (MCHENRY)....................0.1
  ROCKTON 1ESE (WINNEBAGO)......................0.1
  ROCKFORD 4NW (WINNEBAGO)......................0.1
  WOODSTOCK 5NW (MCHENRY).......................0.1
  ELBURN (KANE)...............................TRACE
  EARLVILLE 3S (LA SALLE).....................TRACE
  HARVARD (MCHENRY)...........................TRACE
  AURORA 4SE (DU PAGE)........................TRACE
  LISLE (DU PAGE).............................TRACE
  AURORA 4NE (DU PAGE)........................TRACE
  OSWEGO 5SSE (KENDALL).......................TRACE
  YORKVILLE 1NE (KENDALL).....................TRACE
  BEACH PARK 1W (LAKE)........................TRACE
  WAUKEGAN 2N (LAKE)..........................TRACE
  GURNEE 2W (LAKE)............................TRACE
  OTTAWA 1NW (LA SALLE).......................TRACE
  SHERIDAN (LA SALLE).........................TRACE
  SHERIDAN 3SSE (LA SALLE)....................TRACE
  SENECA 1NE (LA SALLE).......................TRACE
  MARENGO (MCHENRY)...........................TRACE
  MENDOTA (LA SALLE)..........................TRACE
  NEWARK (KENDALL)............................TRACE
  OTTAWA (LA SALLE)...........................TRACE
  YORKVILLE 2SE (KENDALL).....................TRACE

NORTHWEST INDIANA                              SNOW
  LOCATION (COUNTY):                           FALL(INCHES)

  ST. JOHN (LAKE)...............................4.0
  PORTAGE 1ESE (PORTER).........................4.0
  PORTER 1S (PORTER)............................3.9
  INDIANA DUNES (PORTER)........................3.8
  REMINGTON (JASPER)............................3.8
  DE MOTTE 1NNW (JASPER)........................3.7
  REMINGTON (JASPER)............................3.5
  RENSSELAER (JASPER)...........................3.2
  LOWELL (LAKE).................................3.1
  DE MOTTE 4SW (JASPER).........................3.0
  CROWN POINT 2WSW (LAKE).......................3.0
  VALPARAISO 6WSW (PORTER)......................3.0
  VALPARAISO 1NNW (PORTER)......................3.0
  VALPARAISO 2N (PORTER)........................3.0
  LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS 2NNE (PORTER).......2.9
  VALPARAISO 1WNW (PORTER)......................2.8
  VALPARAISO (PORTER)...........................2.7
  VALPARAISO 1SE (PORTER).......................2.5
  VALPARAISO 1ENE (PORTER)......................2.5
  CROWN POINT 1N (LAKE).........................2.4
  VALPARAISO 5NNE (PORTER)......................2.4
  VALPARAISO 5NNE (PORTER)......................2.4
  DYER 1WNW (LAKE)..............................2.2
  CROWN POINT 8E (PORTER).......................2.1
  HEBRON 4NE (PORTER)...........................2.0
  HAMMOND 3SW (LAKE)............................1.6
  VALPARAISO 2NW (PORTER).......................1.4
  VALPARAISO 9SSW (PORTER)......................0.4

Old Man Winter not showing any signs of hibernation yet. Another storm over the weekend may produce some mixed precip, however, bulk of it should remain as rain. Winter Storm remains for the Southern and Eastern Counties for this morning. See Outlook Below.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A WINTER WEATHER WARNING AND ADVISORY REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR
PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA THIS MORNING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO
TAPER OFF TO FLURRIES THROUGH THE MORNING.

PORTIONS OF THE DES PLAINES RIVER REMAIN IN FLOOD...AND PORTIONS
OF THE PECATONICA AND FOX RIVERS WILL REMAIN NEAR OR ABOVE ACTION
STAGE. MANY OF THE OTHER AREA STREAMS HAVE CRESTED AND ARE SLOWLY
FALLING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

AN ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN WILL LEAD TO A POTENTIALLY STRONG STORM
SYSTEM TO MOVE THROUGH OUTLOOK AREA LATER THIS WEEKEND. ON
SUNDAY...THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING MIXED
PRECIPITATION AT THE ONSET...FOLLOWED BY HEAVY RAINFALL AND
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH THE
STORM TRACK...AS WELL AS THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF PRECIPITATION. THE
ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION MAY LEAD TO ADDITIONAL FLOODING ON LOCAL
RIVERS AND STREAMS.

PORTIONS OF THE DES PLAINES RIVER REMAIN IN FLOOD...AND PORTIONS
OF THE PECATONICA AND FOX RIVERS WILL REMAIN NEAR OR ABOVE ACTION
STAGE. MANY OF THE OTHER AREA STREAMS HAVE CRESTED AND ARE SLOWLY
FALLING.

AFFECTED COUNTIES:
IN ILLINOIS: BOONE, LAKE, MCHENRY, OGLE, WINNEBAGO.

..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY.

LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATER THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE
OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER...SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE NOW
EXPECTED WHICH IS BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 9 AM CST FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 9 AM CST FRIDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS EVENING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES LIKELY...WITH LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. ACCUMULATION RATES MAY EXCEED ONE
INCH PER HOUR LATE THIS EVENING.

* HAZARDS...SNOW. NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS GUSTING TO AROUND 25
MPH MAY PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITY
MAY DROP BELOW ONE-HALF MILE AT TIMES.

* IMPACTS...SNOW COVERED ROADS. RAPID SNOW ACCUMULATION MAY
RESULT IN VERY TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND MAKE SNOW
REMOVAL DIFFICULT AT TIMES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES...WHICH IS
IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM CST FRIDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS EVENING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES LIKELY...WITH LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. ACCUMULATION RATES MAY EXCEED ONE INCH
PER HOUR LATE THIS EVENING.

* HAZARDS...SNOW. NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS GUSTING TO AROUND 25
MPH MAY PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITY
MAY DROP BELOW ONE-HALF MILE AT TIMES.

* IMPACTS...SNOW COVERED ROADS. RAPID SNOW ACCUMULATION MAY
RESULT IN VERY TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND MAKE SNOW
REMOVAL DIFFICULT AT TIMES.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

LIGHT TO MODERATE SLEET AND SNOW CONTINUES TO MOVE ACROSS
EASTERN MCHENRY...LAKE...AND NORTHERN COOK COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST
ILLINOIS. SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE TO AROUND AN INCH OR TWO BY 9 PM WHEN
PRECIPITATION WINDS DOWN. CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN COOK COUNTY WILL
SEE SCATTERED AREAS OF RAIN AND SLEET WITH PATCHES OF FREEZING
RAIN POSSIBLE.

A MIX OF PRECIPITATION CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS
NORTHEAST ILLINOIS. THE MOST WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION WILL OCCUR
NORTHEAST OF A LINE FROM DEKALB TO JOLIET TO SOUTH CHICAGO
INCLUDING MOST OF THE CHICAGO METRO AREA. PRECIPITATION WILL
PRIMARILY BE A MIX OF SLEET AND SNOW...WITH SOME RAIN
POSSIBLE...NORTH OF INTERSTATE 88 INCLUDING THE INTERSTATE 90
CORRIDOR. AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 88 AND THE
EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY CAN EXPECT A MIX OF RAIN AND SLEET. POCKETS
OF FREEZING RAIN MAY OCCUR AS WELL. SEVERAL TENTHS OF SLEET AND
SNOW ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE...PRIMARILY NORTH OF INTERSTATE 88.
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO OCCUR IN SPOTS. THE PRECIPITATION
WILL DECREASE IN COVERAGE TOWARDS 9 PM.

..MIX OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION MOVING INTO NORTH CENTRAL AND
NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND FAR NORTHWEST INDIANA...

A BAND OF PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE EASTWARD ALONG AND NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 80 INCLUDING THE INTERSTATE 88 AND INTERSTATE 90
CORRIDORS THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING. A MIX OF RAIN...SLEET...AND
SNOW IS EXPECTED GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 39 AND
NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80...INCLUDING THE ROCKFORD AND LA SALLE
AREAS. TO THE EAST INCLUDING THE CHICAGO METRO AREA...A MIX OF
RAIN...FREEZING RAIN...AND SLEET IS POSSIBLE WITH TEMPERATURES
RIGHT AROUND FREEZING. PRECIPITATION MAY BE INTENSE FOR SHORT
PERIODS OF TIME WITH THUNDER AND LIGHTNING ALSO POSSIBLE. LIGHT
SLEET ACCUMULATION MAY OCCUR. AREAS THAT ARE AT OR BELOW FREEZING MAY
SEE A LIGHT ICE ACCUMULATION. THE MOST WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION IS
EXPECTED TO END BY AROUND 9 PM CST WITH SCATTERED AREAS OF LIGHT
PRECIPITATION LINGERING.

Read Day 2 outlook regarding potential storm. Active weather pattern over the next week.

DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

SCATTERED LIGHT PRECIPITATION WILL OCCUR ACROSS THE AREA INTO
TONIGHT. A MIX OF LIGHT SNOW AND SLEET MAY OCCUR AS PRECIPITATION
STARTS INTO EARLY EVENING WITH LIGHT RAIN AND LIGHT FREEZING RAIN
EXPECTED THIS EVENING GENERALLY NORTHEAST OF A LINE FROM OREGON
ILLINOIS TO VALPARAISO INDIANA WITH RAIN EXPECTED SOUTHWEST OF
THIS LINE. FREEZING PRECIPITATION MAY CHANGE TO RAIN LATE THIS
EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

A WINTER STORM DEVELOPING ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS IS EXPECTED
TO BRING SIGNIFICANT SNOW TO PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL AND
NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA THURSDAY EVENING INTO
FRIDAY MORNING. A SHORT PERIOD OF RAIN..SLEET...AND SNOW IS
POSSIBLE AS PRECIPITATION STARTS. SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATION IS
POSSIBLE ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 88 WITH THE HEAVIEST
AMOUNTS ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80. NORTHEAST WINDS WILL
BRING BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW.

ANOTHER WINTER STORM MAY TRACK NEAR OR OVER THE AREA SUNDAY NIGHT
INTO MONDAY...BUT AT THIS TIME THERE IS MUCH UNCERTAINTY
REGARDING THE DETAILS OF THIS SYSTEM. THE ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION
MAY LEAD TO ADDITIONAL FLOODING ON LOCAL RIVERS AND STREAMS.

PORTIONS OF THE DES PLAINES AND ILLINOIS RIVERS WILL REMAIN
IN FLOOD...AND PORTIONS OF THE PECATONICA RIVER WILL REMAIN NEAR OR
ABOVE ACTION STAGE. HOWEVER MOST OF THE RIVER LEVELS HAVE CRESTED
AND ARE SLOWLY FALLING.

RUNOFF FROM SNOW MELT AND RAINFALL...COMBINED WITH RECENT ABOVE
FREEZING TEMPERATURES...HAVE RESULTED IN INCREASED STREAMFLOW AND
AN ELEVATED RISK OF LOCALIZED ICE JAM FLOODING.

Another storm system looming for Thurs into Fri. Looks to be mixed precip at first, and then changeover to all snow. Accumulation s likely. Details outlined below.


DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

NUMEROUS STREAMS REMAIN NEAR OR JUST ABOVE FLOOD STAGE ACROSS
PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

RUNOFF FROM SNOW MELT AND RAINFALL...COMBINED WITH RECENT ABOVE
FREEZING TEMPERATURES...HAVE RESULTED IN INCREASED STREAMFLOW AND
AN ELEVATED RISK OF LOCALIZED ICE JAM FLOODING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

ACCUMULATING SNOW OR MIXED PRECIPITATION IS POSSIBLE THURSDAY
NIGHT INTO FRIDAY...IN ASSOCIATION WITH A WINTER STORM THAT IS
EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS EARLY THURSDAY...
AND MOVE INTO THE OHIO VALLEY THURSDAY NIGHT. CURRENT FORECASTS
CONTINUE TO INDICATE VARIABILITY WITH THE EXACT TRACK OF THIS
STORM SYSTEM...BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE POTENTIAL DOES EXIST FOR
SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AND MIXED PRECIPITATION ACROSS PORTIONS OF
ILLINOIS AND INDIANA THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY. CONTINUE TO
MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS
POTENTIAL DEVELOPING WINTER STORM.

NUMEROUS STREAMS WILL REMAIN NEAR OR JUST ABOVE FLOOD STAGE ACROSS
PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

RUNOFF FROM SNOW MELT AND RAINFALL...COMBINED WITH RECENT ABOVE
FREEZING TEMPERATURES...HAVE RESULTED IN INCREASED STREAMFLOW AND
AN ELEVATED RISK OF LOCALIZED ICE JAM FLOODING.

LIGHT SNOW WILL DIMINISH TO FLURRIES THIS MORNING ACROSS NORTHEAST
ILLINOIS. MINOR ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS
THE FAR NORTHWEST AND NORTH SUBURBS OF CHICAGO...WHERE LIGHTLY
TRAVELED OR UNTREATED ROADS MAY BE SLIPPERY IN SOME SPOTS FOR
THOSE MAKING EARLY MORNING COMMUTES. THE REMAINDER OF THE CHICAGO
METRO AREA WILL LIKELY SEE LITTLE OR NO ACCUMULATION. LIGHT SNOW
SHOULD TAPER TO JUST FLURRIES ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA BY 8 OR 9
AM.

IF TRAVELING ACROSS THE NORTHWEST OR NORTHERN SUBURBS EARLY THIS
MORNING...BE ALERT FOR SLICK SPOTS DUE TO THE LIGHT SNOW
ACCUMULATION.

...PATCHY LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE OVERNIGHT...

LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT.
ALSO...WET PAVEMENT DUE TO THE RECENT RAINS AND SNOW MELT HAS
STARTED TO FREEZE ON AREA ROADWAYS. BLACK ICE AND ANY GLAZE
FROM THE FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS TONIGHT
ACROSS AREA ROADWAYS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF
ACCIDENTS ACROSS NORTH WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS. THE
FREEZING DRIZZLE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE OVERNIGHT...UNTIL LIGHT
SNOW BEGINS TO OVERSPREAD THE REGION.

NOW...

LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT.
ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED AND ANY FREEZING DRIZZLE MAY
PRODUCE A GLAZE OF ICE ON AREA ROADWAYS AND EXPOSED
SURFACES...WHICH WOULD CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. FREEZING
DRIZZLE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THIS EVENING UNTIL LIGHT SNOW
OVERSPREADS THE REGION LATER TONIGHT.

NOW...

LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS MANY LOCATIONS OF
NORTH WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS. ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATION
IS EXPECTED AND ANY FREEZING DRIZZLE MAY PRODUCE A GLAZE OF ICE ON
AREA ROADWAYS AND EXPOSED SURFACES. FREEZING DRIZZLE IS EXPECTED
TO CONTINUE THIS EVENING UNTIL LIGHT SNOW OVERSPREADS THE REGION
OVERNIGHT.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST
TUESDAY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY.

* TIMING...INTERMITTENT LIGHT SNOW WILL BECOME STEADIER LATE THIS
EVENING AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 4 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE
WISCONSIN STATE LINE.

* HAZARDS...SNOW ACCUMULATION.

* IMPACTS...SNOW ACCUMULATION TONIGHT WILL LEAD TO UNTREATED ROADS
BECOMING SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY. TUESDAY MORNINGS COMMUTE
WILL LIKELY BE IMPACTED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST
TUESDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW REMAINS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY.

* TIMING...OCCASIONAL FREEZING RAIN WILL CHANGE TO LIGHT SNOW
THIS AFTERNOON. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BECOME STEADIER LATE
THIS EVENING AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT.

* ACCUMULATIONS...TRACE AMOUNTS OF ICE MAY ACCUMULATE EARLY THIS
AFTERNOON BEFORE PRECIPITATION CHANGES TO SNOW. SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE BY EARLY TUESDAY
MORNING.

* HAZARDS...MINOR ICE ACCUMULATION FROM FREEZING DRIZZLE AND
SNOW ACCUMULATION.

* IMPACTS...SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ON LIGHTLY TRAVELED OR UNTREATED
ROADS AND SIDEWALKS...ESPECIALLY ON EXPOSED BRIDGE DECKS AND
OVERPASSES. SNOW ACCUMULATION LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
WILL LEAD TO UNTREATED ROADS BECOMING SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY.
THIS EVENINGS RUSH HOUR...AND TUESDAY MORNINGS COMMUTE WILL
LIKELY BE IMPACTED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM CST
TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW ACCUMULATION...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
NOON TODAY TO 6 AM CST TUESDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW DEVELOPING EARLY THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING
  THROUGH MUCH OF TONIGHT.

* ACCUMULATIONS...3 TO 5 INCHES.

* HAZARDS...ACCUMULATING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...SNOW ACCUMULATION MAY LEAD TO SLIPPERY TRAVEL CONDITIONS
  THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THE MONDAY AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR WILL
  LIKELY BE IMPACTED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

...LIGHT SNOW EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT...

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE ACROSS THE DAKOTAS THIS MORNING WILL
MOVE EAST ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT. AS
THIS SYSTEM APPROACHES...SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS PORTIONS OF
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWESTERN INDIANA LATER TODAY AND
TONIGHT. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE ALONG AND EAST OF A LINE FROM NEAR ROCKFORD SOUTHEAST TO
NEAR VERONA IN CENTRAL GRUNDY COUNTY. SOME LOCALLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS SNOWFALL MAY IMPACT TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AROUND RUSH HOUR THIS AFTERNOON. THEREFORE...IF TRAVEL
IS PLANNED ACROSS THE AREA LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT BE PREPARED FOR
SNOW COVERED ROADS.

AFFECTED COUNTIES:
IN ILLINOIS: BOONE, LAKE, MCHENRY, WINNEBAGO.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 9 AM CST MONDAY.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO FREEZING RAIN AND OR SLEET
BEFORE CHANGING TO ALL SNOW BY THE MORNING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...LESS THAN ONE TENTH OF AN INCH OF ICE
ACCUMULATION FROM FREEZING RAIN...ESPECIALLY AWAY FROM LAKE
MICHIGAN.

* HAZARDS...FREEZING RAIN.

* IMPACTS...LIGHT ICE ACCUMULATION MAY LEAD TO SLIPPERY ROADS AND
SIDEWALKS AND MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

NOW...
THROUGH 10 PM...LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN WILL CONTINUE...ACROSS
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. ISOLATED THUNDER AND
LIGHTNING WILL CONTINUE. ALSO...THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF PEA
SIZE HAIL. THERE COULD BE MINOR FLOODING IN LOW LYING AREAS.
MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS THE ROADWAYS COULD BE SLIPPERY
AND VISIBILITY COULD BE IMPAIRED.

.NOW...
THROUGH 8 PM...LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN...CAN BE EXPECTED
ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. ALSO...A CLAP OF
THUNDER MAY BE NOTICED. THERE COULD BE MINOR FLOODING IN LOW
LYING AREAS. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS THE ROADWAYS COULD
BE SLIPPERY AND VISIBILITY COULD BE IMPAIRED.

NOW...
THROUGH 5 PM...LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN...CAN BE EXPECTED
ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. ALSO...A CLAP OF
THUNDER MAY BE NOTICED. THERE COULD BE MINOR FLOODING IN LOW
LYING AREAS. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS THE ROADWAYS COULD
BE SLIPPERY AND VISIBILITY COULD BE IMPAIRED.

NOW...
THROUGH 3 PM...STEADY LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN...CAN BE EXPECTED
ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. ALSO...A CLAP OF
THUNDER MAY BE NOTICED. THERE COULD BE MINOR FLOODING IN LOW
LYING AREAS. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS THE ROADWAYS COULD
BE SLIPPERY AND VISIBILITY COULD BE IMPAIRED.

THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED AT 10 AM CST THIS MORNING.

TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO WARM WITH PRECIPITATION TRANSITIONING TO
ALL RAIN FOR MOST AREAS. WHILE THERE MAY BE ISOLATED AREAS OF
SLEET OCCURRING THROUGH THE MORNING CREATING SLIPPERY ROADWAYS...A
WINTER WEATHER HEADLINE IS NO LONGER NECESSARY.

..WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST THIS
MORNING...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST THIS
MORNING.

* TIMING...A PERIOD OF SLEET WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MID
MORNING...BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO RAIN DURING THE LATE MORNING
HOURS.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS ARE NOT
EXPECTED...HOWEVER A COATING OF SLEET ON THE ROADWAYS CAN CAUSE
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR MOTORISTS.

* HAZARDS...SLEET CAN LEAD TO SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ON THE ROADWAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
VERY HAZARDOUS.

AFFECTED COUNTIES:
IN ILLINOIS: BOONE, LAKE, MCHENRY, WINNEBAGO.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS
AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...A PERIOD OF SNOW AND SLEET WILL DEVELOP EARLY THIS
MORNING...BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO FREEZING RAIN DURING THE MID
AND LATE MORNING HOURS. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO WARM ABOVE
FREEZING THIS AFTERNOON...ENDING THE THREAT FOR FREEZING RAIN.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE
BEFORE THE PRECIPITATION CHANGES TO FREEZING RAIN. ADDITIONAL ICE
ACCUMULATION OF UP TO A QUARTER INCH IS POSSIBLE BEFORE FREEZING
RAIN ENDS BY EARLY AFTERNOON.

* HAZARDS...SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AND LEAD TO POWER OUTAGES.

* IMPACTS...SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATIONS CAN LEAD TO FALLING
TREE LIMBS AND CAN BRING DOWN POWER LINES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
VERY HAZARDOUS.

AFFECTED COUNTIES:
IN ILLINOIS: COOK, DEKALB, DUPAGE, KANE, OGLE.


...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO NOON CST
SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO NOON CST SUNDAY.

* TIMING...A PERIOD OF SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT...BEFORE
CHANGING OVER TO SLEET THEN FREEZING RAIN BY EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING. PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY MORNING AT WHICH POINT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO
WARM ABOVE FREEZING ENDING THE THREAT FOR FREEZING RAIN.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE BEFORE THE CHANGE OVER TO SLEET THEN FREEZING RAIN.
LIGHT ICE ACCUMULATIONS UP TO TWO TENTHS OF AN INCH ARE POSSIBLE
SUNDAY MORNING.

* HAZARDS...SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN CAN LEAD TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AND LEAD TO POWER OUTAGES.

* IMPACTS...SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATIONS CAN LEAD TO FALLING TREE
LIMBS AND CAN BRING DOWN POWER LINES.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 3 PM CST SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 3 AM TO 3 PM CST SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...A PERIOD OF SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT...BEFORE
CHANGING OVER TO SLEET THEN FREEZING RAIN BY EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING. PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN WILL CONTINUE ON SUNDAY
MORNING. BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO WARM
ABOVE FREEZING ENDING THE THREAT FOR FREEZING RAIN.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE
BEFORE THE CHANGE OVER TO FREEZING RAIN. THE HEAVIEST
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTHWEST PORTIONS OF THE
OUTLOOK AREA. ADDITIONAL ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF A QUARTER INCH OR
MORE ARE POSSIBLE SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MID AFTERNOON.

* HAZARDS...SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AND LEAD TO POWER OUTAGES.

* IMPACTS...SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATIONS CAN LEAD TO FALLING TREE
LIMBS AND CAN BRING DOWN POWER LINES.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
VERY HAZARDOUS.

.A PERIOD OF SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE TONIGHT INTO
SUNDAY MORNING...

.AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT
PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE AREA LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY. CURRENT
INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE PRECIPITATION MAY INITIALLY START AS
SNOW LATE TONIGHT. THERE COULD EVEN BE A PERIOD OF MODERATE TO
HEAVY SNOW PRIOR TO DAYBREAK...WITH SOME ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER...WARMER MID LEVEL TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO QUICKLY
MOVE ACROSS THE AREA EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THIS SHOULD RESULT IN A
PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN AS SURFACE TEMPERATURES REMAIN JUST BELOW
FREEZING THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED
TO WARM ABOVE FREEZING BY MID TO LATE MORNING ON SUNDAY...WHICH
WILL END THE THREAT FOR FREEZING RAIN. MINOR ICE ACCUMULATIONS ARE
POSSIBLE ACROSS THE AREA BEFORE TEMPERATURES WARM ABOVE FREEZING.
THIS COULD CAUSE SOME TRAVEL PROBLEMS LATE TONIGHT INTO EARLY
SUNDAY MORNING.

..WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...A PERIOD OF SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT...BEFORE
CHANGING OVER TO FREEZING RAIN BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. PERIODS
OF FREEZING RAIN WILL CONTINUE ON SUNDAY MORNING. BY SUNDAY
AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES MAY WARM ABOVE FREEZING ENDING THE THREAT
FOR FREEZING RAIN.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE BEFORE THE CHANGE OVER TO FREEZING RAIN. ADDITIONAL
ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF A QUARTER INCH OR MORE ARE POSSIBLE ON
SUNDAY MORNING.

* HAZARDS...SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AND LEAD TO POWER OUTAGES.

* IMPACTS...SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATIONS CAN LEAD TO FALLING TREE
LIMBS AND CAN BRING DOWN POWER LINES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

.NOW...

PATCHY AREAS OF FOG MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES BELOW 1 MILE AT TIMES
THROUGH 1100 PM. USE EXTRA CAUTION DRIVING IN REDUCED VISIBILITY.

Tomorrow we will return to seasonal temps. Still some questions regarding storm track for Sunday into Monday. Latest model shows an all rain event, with the heaviest up too the North of us. However, a shift more southerly and we can have 2 inches of rain dumped on us.
This will continue to be monitored.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD.

RUNOFF FROM SNOW MELT...AND ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES...WILL
CONTINUE AN INCREASED RISK OF LOCALIZED ICE JAM FLOODING. RIVERS
ARE FORECAST TO CONTINUE TO RISE TO ABOVE ACTION STAGE OR EVEN
FLOOD STAGE IN SOME AREAS. MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED
SUNDAY INTO MONDAY MAY COMPOUND THE PROBLEM BY INCREASING THE
RUNOFF OVER ALREADY SATURATED GROUND.

Today is the much anticipated warmup. Potential of 60F degrees (or greater). Enjoy it, because after today we go back to near normal temps (mid 30's)

A storm system will need to be watched Sunday into Monday. A liquid equivalent of 2 inches. Will it be rain, snow, or a combo of both?? There are many questions, although right now it is trending towards a rain event, which will cause severe flooding, if it pans out. No other major warmth in sight.


TODAY...CLOUDY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
NEAR RECORD BREAKING WARMTH LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S. SOUTH
WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

.TONIGHT...CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
LOWS IN THE MID 30S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH
EARLY IN THE EVENING.

.FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. NOT AS MILD. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S. WEST
WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH IN THE LATE MORNING AND
AFTERNOON.

.FRIDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. WEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH

..DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST
THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST
THURSDAY. THE WIND MAY REDUCE THE FOG LATE AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...FROM MIDNIGHT TO NOON THURSDAY.

* VISIBILITY...COULD BE AS LOW AS ONE QUARTER OF A MILE OR LESS.

* IMPACTS...DRIVING COULD BE DANGEROUS WITH THE VISIBILITY
DROPPING RAPIDLY ON ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE
REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...
USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.

NOW...
PATCHY DENSE FOG CONTINUES ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS
ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80 AND WEST OF MCHENRY AND KANE
COUNTIES. WITH MELTING SNOW PACK AND WARM AIR OVERRUNNING...EXPECT
PATCHY DENSE FOG TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. IN SOME
LOCATIONS VISIBILITIES COULD BE AS LOW AS ONE EIGHTH OF A MILE.

.NOW...
PATCHY DENSE FOG HAS DEVELOPED EARLY THIS MORNING ACROSS PORTIONS OF
NORTHERN ILLINOIS ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80 AND WEST OF
MCHENRY AND KANE COUNTIES. WITH MELTING SNOW PACK AND WARM AIR
OVERRUNNING...EXPECT PATCHY DENSE FOG TO CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF
THIS MORNING. IN SOME LOCATIONS VISIBILITIES COULD BE AS LOW AS ONE
EIGHTH OF A MILE.

Morning Outlook

Good Morning Everyone!  Weather still looking on track to bringing some warm pacfic air to our region over the next few days.  The warmest of which, will be Thursday!   Thursday we COULD see temps in the 60's.  Most of the snow (with the exception of the huge piles) should be gone by Thursday afternoon.
Unfortantely, all things come to an end.  Friday temps will snap back to normal (which is in the mid 30's).
The future looks to bring a wetter pattern to the area, over the next week or so.  Sunday could be a bit of a rain-maker (or a mix depending on temps).  This in combination with snow melt, can lead to some flooded rivers.  This will have to be watched!
Enjoy the next few days.....


THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...
NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

CONDITIONS ON AREA RIVERS AND STREAMS WILL CONTINUE TO NEED TO BE
MONITORED FOR POSSIBLE ICE JAM FLOODING DUE TO ABOVE FREEZING
TEMPERATURES THROUGH FRIDAY.

RUNOFF FROM SNOW MELT WILL INCREASE FLOWS ON AREA RIVERS THROUGH
THE WEEK.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE INDIANA STATE POLICE...THE INDIANA EMERGENCY
ALERT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED TO ASSIST IN THE BROADCAST OF AN AMBER
ALERT.


THE INDIANAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING AN ABDUCTED
CHILD FROM A LOCAL INDIANAPOLIS DAY CARE CENTER MID MORNING OF
FEBRUARY 14TH, 2011. SHANIYA HARDEN, A NINE AND A HALF MONTH OLD A
BLACK FEMALE BABY 24 INCHES LONG, WEIGHING 20 POUNDS, WITH BROWN
HAIR AND BROWN EYES.

SHANIYA HARDEN WAS LAST SEEN AT THE INDIANAPOLIS DAY CARE CENTER AND
IS BELIEVED TO BE IN EXTREME DANGER. THERE IS NO CLOTHING
DESCRIPTION FOR SHANIYA HARDEN. THE INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE
DEPARTMENT SAYS SHANIYA HARDEN WAS LIKELY ABDUCTED BY HER BIOLOGICAL
MOTHER, SHYANE HARDEN, 19 YEAR OLD BLACK FEMALE, 5 FEET TALL, 110
POUNDS, WITH BROWN HAIR, BROWN EYES, AND A TATTOO OF LIL MOMMA ON
HER NECK AND PIERCINGS ON THE LEFT EYE, LIPS AND EARS. THERE IS NO
VEHICLE INFORMATION, THOUGH THE SUSPECT, SHYANE HARDEN, AND THE BABY
MAY BE HEADED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION IN FLORIDA


IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE CHILD...PLEASE CONTACT THE
INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING
1...8 8 8...5 8 AMBER. THAT NUMBER AGAIN IS 1...8 8 8...5 8 AMBER.

Valentines Day Climate Data

Chicago:
The following statistics comprises 138 years of data. However snowfall data started in 1885 so it comprises 126 years. Data collection began at the University of Chicago, then at Midway, and currently at O'Hare which is now the official station for Chicago.

Frequency distribution of high temperatures for Chicago. This dataset shows that the most frequent range of high temperatures on Valentine’s Day is in the 30 to 39 degree range. The normal high temperature at Chicago is 34 degrees, which falls right in that range. The record high temperature on Valentine's Day is 62 degrees set in 1954. The record lowest high temperature on Valentine’s Day is 8 degrees, which occurred in 1879 and 1943. Last year, the high temperature was 29 degrees.

Frequency distribution of low temperatures for Chicago. This dataset shows that the most frequent range of low temperatures on Valentine’s Day is in the 20 to 29 degree range. The normal low temperature at Chicago is 19 degrees which falls just below that range. The record low temperature for Chicago on Valentine's Day is 11 below set in 1905. The record highest low on Valentine’s Day is 43 in 1954. The low temperature last year was 9 degrees.

Frequency distribution of precipitation for Chicago. This dataset shows that the most frequent amount of precipitation recorded on Valentine’s Day is 0.00”, which accounts for 38% of the days in the dataset. The next most frequent range is a Trace closely followed by the 0.02” to 0.25” range. The highest amount of precipitation on Valentine’s Day occurred in 1950 when 0.94” of precipitation fell. There has never been an instance of over an inch of precipitation on Valentine’s Day. Last year, no precipitation fell.

Frequency distribution of snowfall for Chicago. This dataset shows that the most frequent amount of snowfall recorded on Valentine’s Day is 0.0”, which accounts for 49% of the days in the dataset. The next most frequent range is a Trace, followed by 0.1” to 0.9”. The highest amount of snowfall recorded on Valentine’s Day occurred in 1990 when 8.3” of snow fell. Last year, no snow fell.

...CASES OF SPRING FEVER ON THE RISE ALONG WITH THE TEMPERATURES...

TEMPERATURES OFFICIALLY CRACKED THE 40 DEGREE MARK AT BOTH CHICAGO
AND ROCKFORD THIS AFTERNOON. THROUGH 4 PM...THE HIGH IN ROCKFORD
HAS BEEN 44 DEGREES AND OFFICIALLY AT CHICAGO OHARE INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT THE HIGH HAS BEEN 45 DEGREES. TODAYS 40 DEGREE HIGH
TEMPERATURES PUT AN END TO AN UNUSUALLY LONG STREAK OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS
WITH TEMPERATURES FAILING TO REACH THE 40 DEGREE MARK.

THE LAST TIME THE MERCURY CLIMBED ABOVE 40 DEGREES IN CHICAGO WAS
ON JANUARY 1ST...SO TODAY CAPPED OFF A STREAK OF 42 CONSECUTIVE
DAYS BELOW 40 DEGREES. THIS IS THE 20TH LONGEST STREAK EVER IN
CHICAGO OF SUB-40 DEGREE TEMPERATURES. IN FACT...ONLY TWICE IN THE
PAST 25 YEARS HAS THERE BEEN A STREAK LONGER...45 DAYS IN JAN/FEB
OF 2004 AND 61 DAYS IN DEC/JAN OF 2000/2001. THE LONGEST STREAK
EVER OF SUB 40 DEGREE DAYS IN CHICAGO WAS 69 DAYS FROM DEC 1981
THROUGH FEB 1982.

IN ROCKFORD...THE LAST TIME THE MERCURY CLIMBED TO 40 DEGREES WAS
ON DECEMBER 31ST...SO TODAY CAPPED OFF A STREAK OF 43 CONSECUTIVE
DAYS BELOW 40 DEGREES. THIS IS THE 22ND LONGEST SUCH STREAK IN
ROCKFORD HISTORY. ONLY ONCE IN THE PAST 25 YEARS HAS THERE BEEN A
LONGER STREAK AND THAT WAS BACK IN DEC-FEB 2000-2001 WHEN ROCKFORD
WENT 71 DAYS WITHOUT REACHING 40 DEGREES. THE LONGEST STRETCH OF
CONSECUTIVE DAYS FAILING TO REACH 40 DEGREES WAS BACK IN DEC-MAR
1978-1979 WHEN ROCKFORD WENT 104 DAYS WITHOUT HITTING 40.

INTERESTINGLY...SO FAR THIS WINTER SEASON CHICAGO HAS SEEN 55 DAYS
WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. ON AVERAGE...CHICAGO WILL
SEE AROUND 42 DAYS WITH HIGHS BELOW FREEZING DURING A WINTER
SEASON. IN ROCKFORD...THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN 55 DAYS WITH HIGHS
BELOW FREEZING. IN ROCKFORD...THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF SUB-FREEZING
DAYS IS 46 FOR AN ENTIRE WINTER SEASON. WITH ANOTHER MONTH OR SO
OF WINTER LEFT IT IS LIKELY THAT THESE TOTALS OF 55 DAYS WILL GO
UP.

HERE IS A LIST OF THE TOP 25 WINTER WITH THE MOST NUMBER OF DAYS
WITH HIGHS BELOW FREEZING:

ROCKFORD
1)197885
2)191276
192076
4)197974
5)196070
197770
7)200167
8)198066
9)196265
10)199664
11)198263
200963
13)193662
196362
196562
16)191060
17)195958
198458
19)195157
199757
201057
22)197056
198656
24)200855
201155*

CHICAGO
1)190479
2)189373
3)197872
4)197767
5)189565
6)190564
7)189961
192061
9)187560
188160
191260
191860
197960
200160
15)193659
196359
17)194858
198458
19)188857
190157
21)200956
22)201155*
23)188554
191754
198554

* = IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE VALUE FOR 2011 IS ONLY THROUGH FEB
13TH AND IS BEING COMPARED AGAINST ENTIRE WINTER SEASONS. ON
AVERAGE CHICAGO AND ROCKFORD BOTH SEE ABOUT ANOTHER 10 DAYS WITH
HIGHS BELOW FREEZING FROM THIS POINT THROUGH THE END OF THE
WINTER...BUT THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF DAYS IS HIGHLY VARIABLE FROM
YEAR TO YEAR.



IZZI

The big warm-up continues! Chicago's snow continues to melt. What was once a 22" snowpack is down to 14" Sunday morning--and continues melting. The breadth of this warm-up is stunning. Check out this 24 hour temperature change map--warming has taken place almost from coast to coast. The snow cover across the Lower 48 has shrunk from 64.9% of the country Thursday to 63.1% Fri, 46.9% Sat and 42.4% this morning. Watch the snow melting Saturday thru midnight last night on this animation from NOAA's National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center

 

 http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/nsa/js_animate.html?nsteps=24&year=2011&month=2&day=13&type=nsm_depth&region=Midwest

Major warmup underway.....   It's quite possibly we can see upper 50's within the next week, (maybe even a 60 degree day).  Snow Melt is going to be rapid.....  However, we are NOT out of the woods at all. There are signs that the cold weather will return sometime in the next 8-10 days, and back to the routine...
Enjoy it for now.. Here is the forecast for the next 3 days!



Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest.

The much anticipated warm up is about to begin. May see some flurries up to a half inch of snow today. Then the warmth begins over the weekend. Most of the up-coming week will be above freezing. So a good chunk of snow melt will occur.
Have a good weekend!

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

CONDITIONS ON AREA RIVERS AND STREAMS WILL NEED TO BE MONITORED
FOR POSSIBLE ICE JAM FLOODING...ESPECIALLY THIS WEEKEND THROUGH
NEXT WEEK AS TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO WARM ABOVE FREEZING.

ORD - Forecast.....


This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -7. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -6. West southwest wind around 10 mph.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as -6. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 32. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 28.

A RECORD MINIMUM TEMPERATURE WAS SET FOR FEBRUARY 10 AT ROCKFORD
AIRPORT. THE TEMPERATURE FELL TO -20 DEGREES THIS MORNING. THE
LAST TIME ROCKFORD SAW A TEMPERATURE -20 OR BELOW WAS 1/16/2009.
THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY TWELVE PREVIOUS DAYS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHED -20 OR BELOW.

1. -25.0 2/9/1933
2. -24.0 2/3/1996
3. -22.0 2/1/1985, 2/2/1976, 2/20/1929
6. -21.0 2/2/1996, 2/5/1979, 2/ 1/1918
9. -20.0 2/8/1985, 2/6/1982, 2/ 2/1959, 2/2/1951