By Meteorologist Paul Dailey
Abundant sunshine and lack of snow cover Thursday allowed Chicago-area afternoon temperatures to rise well into the upper 40s despite northwest breezes. And with the forecast calling for a mostly sunny morning and southwest winds, Friday's highs should just about duplicate Thursday's readings even though afternoon cloudiness will increase ahead of a cold front approaching from the west. The two consecutive days with mid-March temperatures coincide with the same two days last year that saw even milder readings, 49 degrees on Feb.16 and 56 on Feb.17.
Cooler temperatures and a few periods of light rain or snow are likely for the weekend in Chicago. Farther south, 80-degree temperatures, high humidity and 2- to 4-inch rains are forecast along the Gulf of Mexico and the Carolina coast.
Abundant sunshine and lack of snow cover Thursday allowed Chicago-area afternoon temperatures to rise well into the upper 40s despite northwest breezes. And with the forecast calling for a mostly sunny morning and southwest winds, Friday's highs should just about duplicate Thursday's readings even though afternoon cloudiness will increase ahead of a cold front approaching from the west. The two consecutive days with mid-March temperatures coincide with the same two days last year that saw even milder readings, 49 degrees on Feb.16 and 56 on Feb.17.
Cooler temperatures and a few periods of light rain or snow are likely for the weekend in Chicago. Farther south, 80-degree temperatures, high humidity and 2- to 4-inch rains are forecast along the Gulf of Mexico and the Carolina coast.
