Last Update: 3/07/2025 12:40 PM CST
A mid-upper level shortwave has ejected out of the Rockies last night, spawning a surface low currently moving eastward across NE Kansas into central Illinois this afternoon. Southerly flow driving WAA, as well as isentropic upglide is providing plenty of forcing for precipitation throughout our area this afternoon. Precipitation currently moving in from the west will exit to the east of us early this evening. Precipitation currently falling as snow will likely predominantly switch to rain later this afternoon as WAA continues to set in. However, with a surface temperature currently sitting at around 37 at KMDW, the ground will melt any snow as soon as it touches the ground throughout most of the area, save for a few areas to the far NW of the city. While northern areas will be able to accumulate possibly up to a half inch due to colder air, steep lapse rates and mid-level frontogenesis NE of an axis running from Lacon to Pontiac will result in some heavier bands of precipitation south of the city. Again, with surface temperatures substantially above freezing, even in the heaviest bands of precipitation, accumulation will likely amount to no more than a bit of sludge on untreated roadways.
As the system exits to the east this evening, skies will clear as NW flow driving CAA drops lows into the upper 20's for most of the area.
Drier, and warmer conditions will prevail across the area for most of the coming week. A system passing far to the north of our area on Saturday will result in some slight WAA as winds turn out of the SW, bringing sunnier skies pushing highs into the mid 40's. This warming trend continues on Sunday and Monday as a ridge downstream of a longwave trough over the Rockies will allow highs to soar into the mid 50's on Sunday, and even push lower 60's on Monday. SW wind will also inhibit any lake breeze, allowing higher temperatures to push closer to the shoreline.