NWS blended model forecast 3 day rainfall covering the Thu night/early Friday system
Thunderstorms are set to make a loud arrival Thursday night and early Friday after a very humid day.
The thunderstorm set up, despite the late hour of their potential arrival, could be potent and racing as these storms will beneath a powerful upper wind max. That raises the damaging wind potential over sections of the area–so this is a set-up to monitor.
There is a threat of severe weather along with including drenching downpours.
Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Day 2 severe weather risk assessment for the Thursday/Thu night period–covering the 24 hours from 7am CDT Thu to 7am Fri
Model rainfall projections are interesting with the spread in greater Chicago area. Precip forecasts falling in the 0.50″ to 2″ range.
We’ll get rain – but we will need more
Droughts feed on themselves and models have a bias toward over-predicting. What we really need is several days of steady, soaking rains–and that just doesn’t often happen this time of year. Downpours, when the occur hit fast–like last Saturday’s across sections of the area–with O’Hare picking up 1.50″ and isolated 2″ totals noted while other areas, while some areas were merely grazed. Rains can come fast and hard–but it’s just so darn dry, even a good t-storm could leave us still wanting for more.
Forecast details and more at wgntv.com/weather