Computer models are less than unanimous in their handling of a Friday night/Saturday system capable of flaring into a measurable snow producer over sections of the Midwest. Several projections portray a system that may strengthen, fueled by a powerful jet stream that began roaring off the Pacific and across the West Coast late Wednesday, with a healthy supply of Gulf warmth and moisture to its south. Just how the early weekend storm ends up tracking across the Midwest will decide the extent and form of the precipitation it produces. Overall snow prospects are in decline this time of year, though 6 or more inches of snow has fallen as late as April 15-16, 1961.
SOURCES: NOAA-NCEP, National Weather Service-Chicago, Frank Wachowski
WGN-TV/Thomas Valle, Mike DiGiannantonio
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Weather Report is prepared by the WGN-TV Weather Center, where Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN News at noon and 9 p.m.
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