The weather looks to be changin as we head into the weekend. Warmer (but moist) air will return, which will bring the onset of potential heavy rain beginning Sunday night with sharp temp differences between northern and southern IL. See day 2-7 outlook below.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS LATE SUNDAY GENERALLY SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE 80...AND ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE OUTLOOK AREA
SUNDAY NIGHT. THERE IS ALSO A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS SOUTHEAST OF
APPROXIMATELY A PONTIAC TO VALPARAISO INDIANA LINE ON MONDAY.

RAINFALL TOTALS OF AN INCH OR MORE ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE OUTLOOK AREA FROM LATE SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY

Today-March 28--is the city's avg first date of 70-degree or warmer temps. Today's observed high at ORD & MDW was 36-well below the 51 norm

March 2011 is running 4.3-deg below the same period a year ago. The below normal temp regime appears likely to dominate the next 2 weeks.

These Feb-level temps are producing a 5th consecutive day of double-digit temp deficits. The chill has wiped out a 2.7-deg March surplus

So the snow event that was planned for Tuesday now looks less and less likely.
The evening models (GFS and European models) show moisture backed off. Its a 180 from where we were yesterday at this time. Of course, it could change again, but for now, no big snow event for tuesday.

...LATE SEASON SNOWFALLS...

NOTHING SAYS SPRING TIME IN ILLINOIS MORE THAN TEMPERATURES IN THE
20S AND GRAY CLOUDY SKIES...BUT HISTORICALLY SPEAKING IT MAY BE A
BIT TOO SOON TO STOW AWAY THOSE SHOVELS. IN FACT...PORTIONS OF
MISSOURI AND DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS ARE SEEING SNOW THIS MORNING. SO
HOW COMMON IS IT TO SEE SHOVEL-ABLE SNOW IN OUR AREA THIS TIME OF
YEAR?

IN CHICAGO...54 OF THE PAST 139 YEARS (OR ABOUT 39%) HAVE HAD AT
LEAST ONE DAY WITH AN INCH OR MORE OF SNOWFALL ON OR AFTER MARCH
25TH. IN FACT...17 OF THOSE YEARS HAD MULTIPLE DAYS WITH OVER AN
INCH OF SNOWFALL INCLUDING 6 DAYS WITH OVER AN INCH OF SNOW BACK IN
1926! HERE ARE SOME OF THE RECENT LATE SEASON (AFTER MARCH 25TH)
CHICAGO SNOWFALLS...

SNOWFALL DATE
3.0 4/11/2007
3.0 4/ 7/2003
2.1 4/ 5/2009
1.9 3/27/2008
1.6 4/ 7/2000
1.2 3/29/2009

HERE ARE THE TOP 10 BIGGEST LATE SEASON SINGLE DAY SNOWFALL TOTALS
FOR CHICAGO...

RANK SNOW DATE
1 13.6 3/25/1930
2 9.4 4/ 5/1982
9.4 4/ 2/1975
4 9.0 4/ 6/1938
5 8.9 3/26/1970
6 8.2 4/ 1/1970
7 7.8 3/30/1926
8 7.7 3/29/1954
9 7.1 3/29/1964
10 6.6 3/26/1934

IN ROCKFORD...47 OF THE PAST 118 YEARS (OR ABOUT 40%) HAVE HAD DAYS
WITH AN INCH OR MORE OF SNOWFALL ON OR AFTER MARCH 25TH. OF THOSE
YEARS...10 HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DAYS WITH OVER AN INCH OF SNOW
INCLUDING 4 DAYS IN 1970 AND 1926. HERE ARE SOME RECENT LATE SEASON
ROCKFORD SNOWFALLS...

SNOWFALL DATE
1.9 4/11/2007
1.8 3/29/2009
1.2 4/ 7/2000
1.1 4/ 1/2002
1.0 4/12/2007

HERE ARE THE TOP 10 BIGGEST LATE SEASON SINGLE DAY SNOWFALL TOTALS
FOR ROCKFORD...

RANK SNOW DATE
1 13.5 3/31/1926
2 10.4 3/29/1972
3 7.0 4/18/1912
4 6.3 4/ 5/1982
5 6.0 4/ 6/1938
6.0 3/25/1933
7 5.0 3/29/1954
8 4.8 3/29/1964
9 4.6 4/ 2/1975
10 4.5 4/ 2/1936
4.5 3/28/1894

WHILE NO BIG SNOWS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE FORECAST FOR THE REGION...IT
IS WORTH NOTING THAT LATE SEASON SNOWS ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO
PREDICT MUCH IN ADVANCE. CURRENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE COLD AIR
OVER THE AREA NOW WILL REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH THE WEEKEND INTO
EARLY NEXT WEEK.

Talk about cold! Thursday's high was just 33 (49 is the "normal" high). That makes this the coldest March 24 in 28 yrs.
This chill's locked in through mid next week. Temps to be closer to late Feb rather than late March levels--avg 10 or more deg below normal!

Weather is heading back into Mid February type weather.  Temps withs highs in the upper 20's/low 30's and chance of snow flurries throughout the balance of the week and into the weekend.   Interesting to note, is that there is a good chance of accummulating snow to the south of our area over the weekend.  This has to be watched, a change in track could mean several inches of snow for the Chicago area.    Looking at extended range models, the next 14 days or so, we can be in for below average temps. 

Hopefully spring will come around again, sometime soon, but not in the immediate future. 

 

--
Gregg Dubin
wxfan1978@gmail.com

.NOW...
AS TEMPERATURES DROP TO NEAR FREEZING...A LIGHT MIX OF WINTRY
PRECIPITATION IS POSSIBLE ACROSS FAR NORTHERN ILLINOIS DURING
THE EVENING RUSH HOUR...GENERALLY NORTH OF A LINE FROM DE KALB
TO CHICAGO. A PERIOD OF DRIZZLE OR FREEZING DRIZZLE MAY MIX WITH
SOME SLEET AND SNOW. AS TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING THIS
EVENING...A FEW SLICK SPOTS MAY DEVELOP...ESPECIALLY ON ELEVATED
SURFACES SUCH AS BRIDGES. THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE
TO MAINLY LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING BUT THERE MAY STILL BE SOME
PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE.

Eye to the sky late tonight. Tornado watches out to our far west, however, that storm system is expected to come through the area late tonight. Stay tuned, read outlook below.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED:

THUNDERSTORMS...THE STRONGEST MAY PRODUCE...

HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS...
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH...
ISOLATED TORNADOES...
HEAVY RAIN...WHICH MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED FLOODING.

AREAS AFFECTED AND TIMING:

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS EVENING
AND CONTINUE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS...MOVING EAST OF THE AREA
BY MORNING.

DISCUSSION:

LOW PRESSURE OVER EASTERN NEBRASKA WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS IOWA
THIS EVENING...REACHING NORTHERN ILLINOIS BY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
THIS LOW WILL PROVIDE THE FOCUS FOR THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT
THIS EVENING. A WARM FRONT EXTENDING EAST FROM THIS LOW IS
EXPECTED TO LIFT ACROSS AREAS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 THIS
EVENING. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT FROM THESE THUNDERSTORMS
IS EXPECTED TO BE LARGE HAIL. HOWEVER...THUNDERSTORMS THAT
DEVELOP NEAR OR SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL
TO PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ISOLATED
TORNADO.

HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED WITH THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS MAY EXCEED ONE INCH IN SOME AREAS. THE GROUND IS
ALREADY SATURATED IN MANY AREAS ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND THIS
ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAIN MAY CAUSE FURTHER RISES ON RIVERS AS WELL AS
LOCALIZED FLOODING.

RIVER LEVELS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE ALONG THE DES PLAINES...
ROCK... FOX AND PECATONICA RIVERS TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AGAIN WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...
WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME OF THE STORMS TO PRODUCE SMALL HAIL.

RIVER LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN NEAR OR ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
ALONG THE DES PLAINES... ROCK... FOX AND PECATONICA RIVERS.

.NOW...
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE THIS EVENING
AND CONTINUE OVERNIGHT ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS. SMALL HAIL AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE WITH ANY OF THESE CELLS. THESE
STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO REACH SEVERE LIMITS TONIGHT.

We still continue to be in the wet pattern.  Tuesday looks to be a potentially active day, with severe weather. 

The severe weather threat, lies just west of our area.  We will have to monitor this tomorrow.

Read outlook below

 

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

  WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED:

  * THUNDERSTORMS. A FEW STORM COULD PRODUCE HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND
    SMALL HAIL.

  AREAS AFFECTED AND TIMING:

  * MOST NUMEROUS GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 39 LATE
    TONIGHT.

 

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE
TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT. SOME OF THESE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE
TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH A THREAT OF LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WINDS. AT THIS TIME THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE A TORNADO
THREAT...ESPECIALLY ALONG AND IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF A WARM FRONT
THAT IS FORECAST TO LIE FROM ABOUT THE QUAD CITIES AREA...TO
KANKAKEE...TO RENSSELAER BY TUESDAY EVENING.

PORTIONS OF THE DES PLAINES RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD THROUGH
THURSDAY.

IN ADDITION...RAINFALL AMOUNTS MAY REACH TOTALS IN EXCESS OF 1
INCH...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE WISCONSIN STATE LINE. THIS MAY LEAD TO
ADDITIONAL RISES ON AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS.

NOW...
A DENSE AREA OF FOG HAS MOVED ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN
ILLINOIS EARLY THIS MORNING...WITH AREAS ALONG AND JUST NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 88 MOST LIKELY TO OBSERVE THE LOWEST VISIBILITIES. MOST
AREAS ARE CURRENTLY OBSERVING VISIBILITIES OF AROUND ONE MILE WITH
SOME LOCALIZED AREAS OBSERVING A HALF MILE OR LESS. TRAVELERS ARE
URGED TO USE CAUTION AS THESE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST
EARLY THIS MORNING BEFORE THEY GRADUALLY IMPROVE LATER TODAY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR
THE DES PLAINES RIVER AT LINCOLNSHIRE.
* FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON TO WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
* AT 745 PM SUNDAY THE STAGE WAS 9.2 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 11.0 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST...RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY MONDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE
TO RISE TO NEAR 11.3 FEET BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. THE RIVER WILL
FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE BY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
* IMPACT...AT 11.0 FEET...WATER BEGINS TO OVERFLOW ONTO LONDONBERRY
LANE.


ACS

AFFECTED COUNTIES:
IN ILLINOIS: LAKE.

NOW...
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO REDEVELOP ALONG THE
EXTREME NORTHERN ILLINOIS COUNTIES AT 715 PM CDT. THE STORMS
ARE MOVING OFF TO THE EAST NORTHEAST AROUND 55 MPH AND WILL
CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS. THE STRONGER STORMS ARE
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND SMALL HAIL. PONDING OF
WATER ON AREA ROADWAYS IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

NOW...

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO REDEVELOP ALONG THE
EXTREME NORTHERN ILLINOIS COUNTIES AS OF 550 PM CDT. THE STORMS
ARE MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AROUND 55 MPH...AND BRIEF HEAVY
DOWNPOURS AND SMALL HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGER STORMS.
WITH SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL OCCURRING EARLIER IN THE DAY...
ADDITIONAL PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS WILL BE POSSIBLE. THESE
THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNSET.

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT UNTIL 445 PM CDT...

AT 426 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR LIBERTYVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...BRIEF HEAVY
DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...NORTH CHICAGO...LAKE BLUFF AND PARK CITY
AROUND 435 PM. THIS STORM WILL REACH THE LAKE MICHGAN SHORE BY 440
PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. HEAVY RAINFALL
CAN LEAD TO FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES...VIADUCTS...
UNDERPASSES...CREEKS AND DRAINAGE AREAS. SEEK SHELTER IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE UNTIL THIS STORM HAS PASSED.

...SIGNFICANT WEATHER ALERT UNTIL 430 PM CDT...

AT 359 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORSM ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM HOLIDAY HILLS TO
HAWTHORN WOODS TO HIGHLAND PARK...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...BRIEF HEAVY
DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...ROUND LAKE PARK...HAINESVILLE...AND
GRAYSLAKE AROUND 410 PM...PARK CITY...GAGES LAKE...AND GURNEE AROUND
415 PM...WAUKEGAN AND NORTH CHICAGO AROUND 420 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. HEAVY RAINFALL
CAN LEAD TO FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES...VIADUCTS...
UNDERPASSES...CREEKS AND DRAINAGE AREAS. SEEK SHELTER IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE UNTIL THESE STORMS HAVE PASSED.

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT...

AT 313 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM
WOODSTOCK TO MARENGO...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

UP TO NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
LIKELY POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...MCHENRY...MCCULLOM LAKE...AND WONDER
LAKE AROUND 320 PM...LAKEMOOR...LAKEWOOD...AND LAKEWOOD AROUND 325
PM...ROUND LAKE AND LONG LAKE AROUND 330 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. SEEK SHELTER IN
A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THESE STORMS HAVE PASSED.

..SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT...

AT 245 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM BELVIDERE TO
ROCKFORD AIRPORT...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL...BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
NEW MILLFORD... CHERRY VALLEY... BELVIDERE...
UNION... MARENGO...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

Spring Officially Begins Today

Meteorological spring began on March 1st and ends on May 31st. However, the official beginning of astronomical spring, the vernal, or spring equinox, occurs this evening at 6:21 PM CDT (7:21 EDT). Astronomical spring ends with the summer solstice on June 21st at 12:16 PM CDT (1:16 PM EDT).
Here is an explanation of equinoxes from the U.S. Naval Observatory:
Equinoxes

"Day and night are not exactly of equal length at the time of the March and September equinoxes. The dates on which day and night are each 12 hours occur a few days before and after the equinoxes. The specific dates of this occurrence are different for different latitudes.

On the day of an equinox, the geometric center of the Sun's disk crosses the equator, and this point is above the horizon for 12 hours everywhere on the Earth. However, the Sun is not simply a geometric point. Sunrise is defined as the instant when the leading edge of the Sun's disk becomes visible on the horizon, whereas sunset is the instant when the trailing edge of the disk disappears below the horizon. These are the moments of first and last direct sunlight. At these times the center of the disk is below the horizon. Furthermore, atmospheric refraction causes the Sun's disk to appear higher in the sky than it would if the Earth had no atmosphere. Thus, in the morning the upper edge of the disk is visible for several minutes before the geometric edge of the disk reaches the horizon. Similarly, in the evening the upper edge of the disk disappears several minutes after the geometric disk has passed below the horizon. The times of sunrise and sunset in almanacs are calculated for the normal atmospheric refraction of 34 minutes of arc and a semidiameter of 16 minutes of arc for the disk. Therefore, at the tabulated time the geometric center of the Sun is actually 50 minutes of arc below a regular and unobstructed horizon for an observer on the surface of the Earth in a level region.

For observers within a couple of degrees of the equator, the period from sunrise to sunset is always several minutes longer than the night. At higher latitudes in the northern hemisphere, the date of equal day and night occurs before the March equinox. Daytime continues to be longer than nighttime until after the September equinox. In the southern hemisphere, the dates of equal day and night occur before the September equinox and after the March equinox.

In the northern hemisphere, at latitude 5 degrees the dates of equal day and night occur about February 25 and October 15; at latitude 40 degrees they occur about March 17 and September 26. On the dates of the equinoxes, the day is about 7 minutes longer than the night at latitudes up to about 25 degrees, increasing to 10 minutes or more at latitude 50 degrees."

Sunrise/Sunset Tables and Hours of Daylight for Chicago-O'Hare and Rockford Airport 3/16-3/20/2011

	Chicago
Date	Sunrise (CDT)	Sunset (CDT)	Hours of daylight
3/16	7:02 AM	6:59 PM	11 hours, 57 minutes
3/17	7:01 AM	7:00 PM	11 hours, 59 minutes
3/18	6:59 AM	7:01 PM	12 hours, 2 minutes
3/19	6:57 AM	7:03 PM	12 hours, 6 minutes
3/20	6:56 AM	7:04 PM	12 hours,  8 minutes
	Rockford
3/16	7:07 AM	7:04 PM	11 hours, 57 minutes
3/17	7:05 AM	7:05 PM	12 hours
3/18	7:04 AM	7:06 PM	12 hours, 2 minutes
3/19	7:02 AM	7:07 PM	12 hours, 5 minutes
3/20	7:00 AM	7:08 PM	12 hours, 8 minutes

NOW...

SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT PORTIONS
OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA THIS EARLY AFTERNOON.
EXPECT MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL...OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES AND POSSIBLY SMALL HAIL UP TO PEA SIZE.

NOW...

SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
THROUGH 1200 PM. THESE STORMS WILL BRING OCCASIONAL TO FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES...MODERATE TO HEAVY
RAINFALL...AND POSSIBLY SMALL HAIL...UP TO PEA SIZE.

MORE SPECIFICALLY...AS OF 1040 AM...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
STRETCHED FROM MCHENRY COUNTY SOUTH THROUGH KENDALL COUNTY. THIS
LINE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH EAST THROUGH THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN
AREA AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND HAS BEEN GENERATING FREQUENT CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES.

NOW...

SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT
NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS THROUGH 1100 AM. THESE STORMS
WILL BRING OCCASIONAL TO FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
STRIKES AND MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL. SMALL HAIL UP TO PEA SIZE
HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH THESE STORMS.

.NOW...

SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT
NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS THROUGH 1000 AM. THESE STORMS
WILL BRING OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES...
MODERATE RAINFALL WITH BURSTS OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL...AND
POSSIBLY SMALL HAIL...UP TO PEA SIZE.

Severe weather possible for portions of Northern Illinois today, and a possible

greater risk for Tuesday.  The Storm Prediction Center has western IL highlighted

as a potential risk area for today, for Hail and Damaging Wind Gusts in excess

of 60MPH.

Details below... 

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

  WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED:

  HAIL UP TO AN INCH.
  WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.

  AREAS AFFECTED AND TIMING:

  ALTHOUGH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE ONGOING ACROSS MUCH
  OF THE AREA TODAY...THE GREATER THREAT FOR STRONG TO SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE FOR AREAS ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 39
  LATER THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.

  DISCUSSION:

  A WEAK AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE CENTRAL
  PLAINS AND SHIFT NORTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION TODAY. AS THIS
  OCCURS...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP OUT AHEAD OF AN
  ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT IN A WARMER AND MORE UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT
  AND MOVE EAST INTO WESTERN ILLINOIS BEFORE WEAKENING AS THEY
  PROGRESS TO THE EAST.

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

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE MONDAY NIGHT INTO
TUESDAY. WITH SEVERAL CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS
WEEK...TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS COULD POSSIBLY REACH ONE TO TWO
INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. CONDITIONS WILL NEED
TO BE MONITORED FOR RISES ON AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS WHICH COULD
LEAD TO RENEWED FLOODING PROBLEMS.

 Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful day outside.  Things are about to

take a turn for the worse.   Significant rain is in the forecast for

the next few days, with the possiblity of some snow by the end of the week.

Read outlook below 

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

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

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY AND SUNDAY
NIGHT...AND ONCE AGAIN TUESDAY.

THESE TWO RAINFALL EVENTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE ONE TO
TWO INCHES OF TOTAL RAINFALL...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS
POSSIBLE...OVER PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST
INDIANA. CONDITIONS WILL NEED TO BE MONITORED FOR RISES ON AREA
STREAMS AND RIVERS WHICH COULD LEAD TO RENEWED FLOODING PROBLEMS.

ALSO...TEMPERATURES WILL DROP OFF THURSDAY THURSDAY. OVERNIGHT LOW
TEMPERATURES FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING WILL
ONLY BE IN THE 20S WHILE HIGHS FOR THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
SHOULD ONLY BE IN THE 30S. ANY LINGERING STANDING WATER WILL
LIKELY FREEZE.

DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS EARLY THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT.
THE MOST LIKELY LOCATION FOR THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 80. THERE IS A CHANCE THAT SOME ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS
MAY LINGER INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.

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

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

NOAA/S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) HAS DESIGNATED MARCH 14
THROUGH 18 AS THE ANNUAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. IT FLOODS
SOMEPLACE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ITS TERRITORIES NEARLY EVERY
DAY OF THE YEAR. IN THE PAST 30 YEARS...FLOODS HAVE KILLED AN
AVERAGE OF 95 PEOPLE A YEAR AND HAVE CAUSED AN AVERAGE OF 7.5
BILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES ANNUALLY. THE GOALS OF FLOOD SAFETY
AWARENESS WEEK ARE TO HEIGHTEN PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS...INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT
NWS FORECAST AND WARNING SERVICES AND FLOOD SAFETY INFORMATION...
AND EMPOWER CITIZENS TO TAKE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEIR
LIVES AND PROPERTY.

ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE

THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE (AHPS) IS THE NWS
FRONTLINE SOLUTION FOR PROVIDING IMPROVED RIVER AND FLOOD
FORECASTING AND WATER INFORMATION ACROSS AMERICA. AHPS PROVIDES
A SUITE OF GRAPHICAL AND NUMERIC PRODUCTS OVER THE INTERNET TO
ASSIST THE PUBLIC...COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGERS IN
MAKING BETTER LIFE AND COST SAVING DECISIONS ABOUT EVACUATIONS
AND MOVEMENT OF PROPERTY BEFORE FLOODING OCCURS. THE BROAD REACH
OF AHPS EXTENDS THE RANGE OF FORECASTS FROM SHORT TERM (UP TO 6
HOURS) TO LONG TERM (OUT TO WEEKS AND MONTHS).

AHPS PROVIDES THE PUBLIC WITH MORE DETAILED AND ACCURATE ANSWERS TO
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
...HOW HIGH WILL THE RIVER RISE?
...WHEN WILL THE RIVER REACH ITS PEAK?
...WHERE WILL THE FLOODING OCCUR?
...HOW LONG WILL THE FLOOD LAST?
...HOW LONG WILL THE DROUGHT CONTINUE?
...HOW CERTAIN IS THE FORECAST?

YOUR GATEWAY TO WEB RESOURCES PROVIDED THROUGH AHPS BEGINS HERE:

HTTP://WATER.WEATHER.GOV

If you have a NOAA Weather Radio there may be some outages this weekend. See Below.

...BRIEF AND INTERMITTENT NOAA WEATHER RADIO STATION OUTAGES
POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND...

DUE TO COMMUNICATION LINE ISSUES...NOAA WEATHER RADIO BROADCAST
STATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE BRIEF AND INTERMITTENT OUTAGES THROUGH THE
REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND. THESE OUTAGES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO CAUSE
TOTAL LOSS OF TRANSMISSION...THOUGH FIVE TO TEN MINUTE INTERRUPTIONS
WILL BE POSSIBLE AS TECHNICIANS CONTINUE TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE.

WE DO APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.

Heavy rain expected tonight. See outlook below.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

SHOWERS WILL OVERSPREAD NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA LATER
THIS EVENING. OVERNIGHT...LOCATIONS ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE
80 COULD SEE AN EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORM. IN ADDITION...A PERIOD OF
HEAVY RAIN IS POSSIBLE BETWEEN 9 PM CST AND 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL LIKELY AGGRAVATE THE ALREADY HIGH LEVELS
ON AREA RIVERS...WHICH COULD LEAD TO MORE FLOODING.

PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS AND KANKAKEE RIVERS WILL REMAIN IN
FLOOD.

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

SOME LINGERING SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY. COLDER AIR WILL
MOVE IN DURING THE AFTERNOON...TURNING RAINFALL INTO LIGHT SNOW
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY.

PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS AND KANKAKEE RIVERS WILL REMAIN IN
FLOOD.

Another potent storm heading into the area Wednesday. This promises to bring significant rain totals to the area. A vast majority of the precip will fall as rain which will turn to snow Weds night. Should not see any significant accumulations. We could see 1 inch rain totals.

ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY RAIN AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE
TUESDAY NIGHT AND EARLY WEDNESDAY. ALREADY ELEVATED STREAMFLOW
FOR NUMEROUS SITES ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST
INDIANA...ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION COULD LEAD TO FURTHER
LOCATIONS REACHING OR EXCEEDING BANKFULL CONDITIONS.
B

NOW...

A COMBINATION OF THE WET SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION TODAY...RESIDUAL
MOISTURE FROM RAIN ON FRIDAY...AND TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE
UPPER 20S TO AROUND 30...HAS CREATED HAZARDOUS SNOW COVERED AND
ICY SURFACES ON AREA ROADWAYS. SEVERAL ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN
REPORTED AROUND THE AREA. SNOW SHOWERS WILL COME TO AN END THIS
EVENING...BUT ROAD SURFACES...ESPECIALLY UNTREATED SURFACES...WILL
LIKELY REMAIN QUITE SLIPPERY. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION
OUT DRIVING THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT.

NOW...
AT 745 PM...AN AREA OF SNOW SHOWERS WERE IMPACTING SOUTHEASTERN COOK
COUNTY..EASTERN WILL COUNTY...CENTRAL AND EASTERN KANKAKEE
COUNTY...THE EASTERN HALF OF IROQUOIS COUNTY...AND SOUTHERN LAKE
COUNTY INDIANA. THESE SNOW SHOWERS ARE TRACKING EAST AT 25 MPH. THEY
WILL SHIFT EAST OF NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND
OVERSPREAD THE REMAINDER OF NORTHWESTERN INDIANA THROUGH 915 PM.

THE MOST INTENSE SNOW SHOWERS WILL PRODUCE MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY
HEAVY SNOW...CAUSING REDUCED VISIBILITY. UNTREATED ROAD SURFACES
WILL LIKELY BECOME SLUSHY OR SNOW COVERED AND SLICK.

NOW...

LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS...WITH PERIODS OF HEAVIER SNOW...HAVE LOWERED
VISIBILITIES TO BETWEEN 1 TO 3 MILES. ALSO THE WINDS ARE
NORTHERLY GUSTING TO NEAR 30 TO 35 MPH. BE CAUTIOUS WHEN
TRAVELING AS THE SNOW CAN REDUCE VISIBILITY.

..USE NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEB PAGES FOR
THE LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION...

TODAY...A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF TORNADOES...NEW TECHNOLOGY SUCH
AS DOPPLER RADAR...FASTER COMMUNICATIONS...AND BETTER SKYWARN
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. 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. NEWER SAME 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 NON-WEATHER EMERGENCIES
SUCH AS A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 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 THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE ONLINE AT WEATHER.GOV. YOU CAN ALSO VIEW WARNINGS
GRAPHICALLY TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THE 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

.NOW...

A LARGE COMPLEX OF SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL
CONTINUE TO OVERSPREAD NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWESTERN INDIANA
THROUGH 1000 PM. RAINFALL RATES WILL GENERALLY BE MODERATE ...WITH
BURSTS OF HEAVY RAIN POSSIBLE IN THE MOST INTENSE SHOWER AND
THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. THERE WILL ALSO BE OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80.

.NOW...

SCATTERED SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
700 PM...WITH OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES.
ALTHOUGH MOST LOCATIONS EXPERIENCING RAIN WILL SEE LIGHT TO
MODERATE RAINFALL...HEAVY RAIN IS POSSIBLE IN THE MOST INTENSE
SHOWER ACTIVITY. A MORE WIDESPREAD AREA OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ARRIVE
FROM WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS THIS EVENING.

Spring weather is in the area. Temps are in the mid 50's. Heavy rain and possible thunderstorms tonight. See outlook below

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED:

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS...SOME MAY PRODUCE:
* OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING.
* MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL.

COLDER AIR MAY LEAD TO A PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET LATE
TONIGHT ACROSS FAR NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

AREAS AFFECTED AND TIMING:

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE AREA
LATE THIS AFTERNOON. THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL
OVERSPREAD ALL OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWESTERN INDIANA
BY EARLY THIS EVENING. AFTER MIDNIGHT THE RAIN SHOULD ABATE ACROSS
NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS...BUT WILL LIKELY CONTINUE ACROSS WEST
CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND NORTHWESTERN INDIANA INTO THE EARLY MORNING
HOURS ON SATURDAY.

DISCUSSION:

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS WILL
BRING WARM MOIST AIR INTO THE REGION. WIDESPREAD MODERATE TO
HEAVY RAINFALL WITH ISOLATED EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS IS
EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE LOW THIS AFTERNOON.
PRECIPITATION TRAINING ALONG THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY IS A CONCERN
AND CAN LEAD TO PROLONGED PERIODS OF PRECIPITATION OVER AN
AREA. HIGH PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF AN INCH ARE
POSSIBLE...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING PROBLEMS AS WELL AS
PROLONG FLOODING ALREADY OCCURRING ON PORTIONS OF THE KANKAKEE
AND ILLINOIS RIVERS. THE THREAT FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODING
IS HIGHEST ACROSS SOUTHEAST PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA.

PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS AND KANKAKEE RIVERS WILL REMAIN IN
FLOOD.

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

PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS AND KANKAKEE RIVERS WILL REMAIN IN
FLOOD.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE EARLY SATURDAY
MORNING ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. UP TO AN INCH IS
POSSIBLE ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWESTERN INDIANA.

ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IS POSSIBLE FOR
MIDWEEK NEXT WEEK. THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ARE
POSSIBLE WHICH WOULD LEAD TO RENEWED RISES ON AREA RIVERS...AND
POTENTIALLY...MORE FLOODING.

.

NOW...

SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 500 PM
ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS...WITH THE STEADIEST RAIN OCCURRING
ACROSS FAR NORTHERN ILLINOIS...GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A LINE
FROM OREGON TO BELVIDERE TO WOODSTOCK. RAINFALL RATES IN THE SHOWERS WILL
GENERALLY BE LIGHT TO MODERATE...WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL
POSSIBLE. THERE WILL ALSO BE OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
STRIKES. ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS IS
EXPECTED DURING THE EVENING.

...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...1 INCH IN 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 BY SPOTTERS 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...GOLFBALL OR LARGER...IS NOT ONLY VERY DESTRUCTIVE
BUT IT OCCURS WITH THE MOST VIOLENT OF STORMS.

FLASH FLOOD SAFETY...

A FLASH FLOOD IS A RAPID RISE IN CREEKS AND STREAMS...OR SERIOUS
URBAN FLOODING...CAUSED BY HEAVY RAIN FROM THUNDERSTORMS...THAT
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 FLOODS IN ILLINOIS.

ABOUT HALF OF ALL FLASH FLOOD RELATED DEATHS OCCUR IN VEHICLES.
DONT 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...DONT DROWN.

DONT 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 PREPAREDNESS WEEK. FOR
MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.FLOODSAFETY.NOAA.GOV.

Here we go again!!! Another round of heavy rain, mixed precip, and finallly snow for the weekend. I wish mother nature would make up her mind as to what she wants.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT.

A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION IS LIKELY OVER THE NORTHERN
PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA...GENERALLY NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE
88 CORRIDOR FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY...BEFORE IT TRANSITIONS TO
LIGHT SNOW SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

MODERATELY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE OVER MUCH OF THE OUTLOOK
AREA INTO THE WEEKEND. ONE HALF TO ONE INCH OF RAIN IS
EXPECTED...THOUGH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE WHICH MAY LEAD TO ADDITIONAL RISES ON AREA RIVERS AND
STREAMS ESPECIALLY SOUTH AND EAST OF A LINE FROM CHICAGO TO

..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...DONT STAND NEXT TO TALL TREES OR POWER POLES. AND
DONT 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 BE SAFE FROM LIGHTNING IS TO GET INDOORS AS SOON AS
THERE IS A LIGHTNING THREAT. WHEN THUNDER ROARS...GO INDOORS.

LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION DURING NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY
PREPAREDNESS WEEK JUNE 19 THROUGH JUNE 25 OR VISIT
WWW.LIGHTNINGSAFETY.NOAA.GOV.

.TORNADO SAFETY...

IN ILLINOIS...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. ILLINOIS
HAS AN AVERAGE OF 44 TORNADOES A YEAR WHICH MAKES IT FIFTH IN THE
NATION IN TORNADOES PER SQUARE MILE. THERE WAS A RECORD 124
TORNADOES IN ILLINOIS IN 2006.

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS...IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO GET TO THE LOWEST
FLOOR...BUT GO TO INTERIOR HALLS...BATHROOMS OR CLOSETS.

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.