31-01-2025
Forecast: Drought-reducing rain ahead of pleasant weekend
Light showers Thursday evening are a preview of stronger downpours that will give the Chicago area some much-needed rain, but the frozen ground increases the threat of some localized flooding.
The bigger rainmaker arrives Friday morning and looks like it'll linger until the early afternoon hours.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District issued an 'Overflow Action Alert' ahead of the rainfall and asked residents to reduce their water use to help prevent backups and flooding and to protect water quality.
What is an 'Overflow Action Day Alert'?
Precipitation has been fairly scarce so far this month at both O'Hare and Midway Airports where less than a quarter inch had fallen prior to the arrival of Thursday night's rainfall. The latest Drought Monitor from USDA has labeled the entire metro area as abnormally dry and even areas north and northwest are classified in Moderate Drought.
Cold air will move in behind the rain, so some snowflakes are possible Friday as the precipitation clears. After that, Friday afternoon will be dry and cooler, with highs around 40.
WGN Weather Center
Maps & Interactive Radar
Extended 7-Day Forecast
Temps are projected to drop into the mid-30s by Saturday, but they'll spike back up into the upper 40s on Sunday before dropping back to early February norms for the start of next week.
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