Chicago Weather: Heavy Rain Friday Giving Way To Snow Saturday
CHICAGO (CBS) -- On Thursday evening, it was still holding at 50 degrees. Don't get used to it.
A winter storm watch will go into effect beginning Friday night – as the Chicago area deals first with heavy rain and then a weekend of snow.
We will spend Friday on the mild side of the system. First with flooding issues.
FLOOD THREAT
Only light passing showers during the day on Friday. A huge moisture plume pushes into our area by 11 p.m. Friday. Heavy downpours develop where the mild air sits.
Rain changes to sleet closer to the Wisconsin state line as colder air starts moving into the system. Areas under the flood watch could see 2 to 4 inches of rain, which is unusually high for this time of year.
First, we deal with a flash flood threat due to the heavy downpours Friday night. Then river flooding becomes a concern and lingers through early next week. This is especially true for the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers.
ICE ACCUMULATION
Before sunrise and during the day Saturday some areas to the west could have 1/4 inch ice accumulation – likely in Aurora and places west. Much of Saturday will be freezing rain and sleet, changing to all snow after dark.
LAKE SHORE FLOODING
Winds from the north and northeast all day Saturday will generate 12- to 16-foot waves. Even 20 foot waves are possible. With high lake water levels, lake shore flooding will be enhanced.
SNOW ACCUMULATION
We're still watching the storm track. Right now it seems Rockford and southern Wisconsin could see the 6-inch snow totals Saturday night. Chicago could see 1 to 3 inches and hardly anything south of I-80. All snow is gone before sunrise on Sunday.