Explainer, STEVE KAHN

Chicagoans  can look forward to a hot and at times stormy Memorial Day weekend. Thursday's strong south winds not only delivered the  third 90-degree day of the season,  but created dust storms in rural areas that dramatically lowered visibilities.  Temperatures  will cool off to the lower 80s on Friday,  but still be at levels about 10 degrees above seasonable normals.  Readings will slide back into the 60s and 70s during the afternoon as lake-cool air spreads inland as winds shift into the northeast. The warm weather will stage a rebound Saturday with afternoon highs in the lower 90s spreading at least into south portions of the metro area accompanied by some gusty thunderstorms. Record-breaking heat could arrive area-wide  Sunday as the mercury climbs into the middle and upper 90s threatening the date's century-old record of 94 degrees established in 1911. The hot weather is expected to linger into Memorial Day, but there is also a threat of strong thunderstorms as a strong cold front sweeps the area bringing a temporary end to the hot weather.

 Soggy Minnesota

Severe thunderstorms battered portions of the Upper Midwest Thursday with hail, highs winds and heavy rainfall. The heaviest rainfall targeted areas around Minneapolis Minnesota with Andover and Isanti receiving  both 5.50 inches while Montrose received 5.20 inches.