Some Sun, Some Clouds But No Rain Expected

A quiet weekend is in store for our area as high pressure builds in from the northwest.

This means a more comfortable airmass with just some high and mid level clouds moving through at times along with a lake breeze. The best chance of rain will stay out across the Plains with increasing chances of t-storms for our area toward early next week with rain moving into northwest and north-central Illinois by Sunday afternoon.

Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny and quiet.

• Low temp: 67 degrees Fahrenheit.  
• High temp: 84 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Wind: Northeast at 5-13 mph

Sunday: Partly cloudy with skies becoming mostly cloudy by mid to late afternoon.

• Low temp: 66 degrees Fahrenheit.  
• High temp: 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wind: Southeast at 5-11 mph

Monday: Partly to mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of a few showers/t-storms from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

• Rain Amounts: 0.25 to 0.75 in.
• Low temp: 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• High temp: 86 degrees Fahrenheit.  
• Wind: West at 10-15 mph

Your Week Ahead: July 27 to August 03, 2012

Temperature Trends: Temperatures will average a little above normal

Precipitation Trends: Precipitation will average closer to normal. A severe drought is in place over much of northeast Illinois with an extreme drought up across southern Wisconsin.

The Week In Preview

Weekend Pattern- A ridge of high pressure will build in over much of the state through the weekend with a chance of a few showers well to our east and west. Clouds will be on the increase by Sunday afternoon as a few showers/t-storms approach the Mississippi River.

Early to Midweek Pattern- A more active pattern is expected during this time with several rounds of showers/t-storms moving along the periphery of the heat dome. These storms may easily occur on Monday and Tuesday with the best chance of rain on Wednesday shifting to our southeast near the Ohio Valley region.

Late Week Pattern- A few weak upper-air disturbances moving through the west/northwest flow may cause a few instability showers on Thursday and Friday with the greatest chance of rain staying to our north across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Most of these showers will stay on the light side and should be scattered.

Temperatures: Above average temperatures will continue with highs ranging from 87 to 90 through much of the period with higher heat index values. Daily lows will mainly range between 68 and 74.

Severe Weather Outlook: The best chance of organized severe weather may occur around Monday or Tuesday of next week with a chance of damaging winds, dangerous lightning and locally heavy rainfall (2.5/5 probability).