Weekend Weather Forecast for the North Shore

A weather system currently moving through the area Friday will rapidly move to the east with a mostly quiet weekend expected. A warm front moving through late Saturday night and into early Sunday may be responsible for a few showers with a major warm-up expected during the second half of the weekend and early in the week and that’s no fooling. Planning outdoors activities this weekend is a must with more summer-like weather certainly on the way.

Saturday: Partly cloudy and pleasant. 30 percent chance of isolated showers and possibly a t-storm from 7 p.m. and continuing into Sunday.

     Rain Amounts: Trace to 0.15 inches

      Low temp: 41 degrees Fahrenheit

      High temp: 65 degrees Fahrenheit

      Wind: South to southeast at 10-20 with gusts to 25 mph.

Sunday: Variable clouds early with a 30 percent chance of isolated showers and possibly a t-storm ending by 9 a.m. Windy and mild.

      Rain Amounts: Trace to 0.15 inches

      Low temp: 54 degrees Fahrenheit

      High temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit

      Wind: South to southeast at 15-25 with gusts to 35 mph.

Monday: Partly to mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of occasional showers and a few t-storms from 4 p.m. and continuing into Tuesday.

      Rain Amounts: 0.15 to 0.45 inches

      Low temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

      High temp: 81 degrees Fahrenheit

      Wind: Southwest at 15-25 mph.

Your Week Ahead: March 30 to April 6

Although April will be off to a rather warm start, there is still the potential for additional cool snaps and frost/freezing temperatures. The average date of the last freeze is around April 24.

Temperature Trends: Temperatures will continue to average above normal through much of the upcoming week.

Precipitation Trends: Precipitation will average a little below normal.

Weekend Pattern: A developing warm front on Saturday may produce a few showers Saturday night into early Sunday with the front lifting north of the area later in the day Sunday with a fantastic warm-up for much of the Upper Midwest. It is possible though that if the front shifts back to the south on Sunday for a time, temps may turn a little cooler due to the possible development of a strong lake breeze.

Early to Midweek Pattern: A stronger storm moves from the Plains into the Upper Midwest on Monday with increasing chances of rain in our region Monday evening through Tuesday with locally heavy rainfall possible.

Late Week Pattern: Quiet weather returns Wednesday through Friday with a ridge of high pressure building in from the northern Plains. This forces the best chance of rain well to our south and southeast.

Temperatures: Temperatures will be on a roller coaster ride over the next few days with highs in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s Friday, warming to the lower 60’s on Saturday and possibly reaching record territory on Sunday over parts of the area. After temps approach 80 on Monday, temps will cool off Monday night through early Wednesday with highs in the 50’s and 60’s and lows in the 30’s. Temperatures will average closer to normal by the middle and end of next week with more of a Pacific airmass in place.

Severe Weather Watch

Since severe weather season is quickly approaching, here are a few safety tips below to prepare for the season.

Lightning is a dangerous weather phenomenon, which can heat up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is about five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

-If you hear thunder, you are already in danger and need to move into a place of safety. Lightning can also occur miles away from a thunderstorm.

-A safe place from lightning is either a substantial building or an enclosed metal vehicle.

-Unsafe buildings include car ports, open garages, covered patios, picnic shelters, beach pavilions, golf shelters, tents, baseball dugouts and sheds.

-Unsafe vehicles include golf carts, convertibles and motorcycles.

Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Source of information: The National Weather Service

Severe Weather Outlook: The risk of severe weather is low over the next seven days with greater chances of severe storms over downstate Illinois.

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