Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Chicago, IL

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117 FXUS63 KLOT 090541 AFDLOT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL 1241 AM CDT Sun Jun 9 2024 .KEY MESSAGES...
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- Breezy northwest winds and seasonable highs are expected today followed by breezy northeast winds and seasonably cool conditions on Monday. - A gradual warming trend is expected from Tuesday onward with a return of above-average temperatures by the end of the week.
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&& .DISCUSSION... Issued at 216 PM CDT Sat Jun 8 2024 Today and Tonight: Recent surface, radar, and satellite observations depict a low pressure system centered near Clinton, Iowa along a surface cold front extending from southern Wisconsin into eastern Iowa and central Missouri. A narrow tongue of low-level moisture characterized by surface dew points in the low to mid 60s continues to slide into northwestern Illinois ahead of the front and just to the south of subtle low-amplitude upper-level shortwave propagating within a seasonably strong upper-level jet across the central Great Lakes. Pockets of clearing across northern Illinois combined with increasing low-level moisture is allowing for the development of shallow low-level instability, with the most-recent RAP analysis indicating around 500 J/kg of MLCAPE (50-75 J/kg of which in the lowest 3 km). Over the next few hours, coverage of ongoing showers near the Wisconsin state line will increase and pivot southeastward over northern Illinois within the shallow but destabilizing boundary layer. A few thunderstorms remain possible amongst otherwise scattered showers within the southeastward-shifting zone. With strong low- to mid-level shear (thanks to a stark shift in wind direction along the front and a close proximity of the upper- level jet to our north), any sustained updrafts will have the opportunity to develop transient low- to mid-level rotation and become a low-topped supercell. As a result, we cannot rule out a report of a funnel cloud or even brief tornado this afternoon, particularly near the best overlap of low-level instability and near-surface vorticity along the front. Extrapolating the positioning of the low-level moisture axis and arrival timing of the front, such a threat for funnel clouds should materialize near I-80 between 3 and 6 PM. Now, this is not an environment that appears supportive of damaging tornadoes, and the most likely scenario is that a band of showers with an embedded lightning strikes moves through without any fuss. Nevertheless, move indoors if you see a funnel cloud or otherwise hear thunder. The axis of showers and embedded thunderstorms will move southeastward into northwestern Indiana this evening. Behind the front, an increase in northerly winds will cause waves on Lake Michigan to quickly build to 2-4 feet. While not an ideal beach day, be prepared for quickly changing conditions if out on the water. Overnight lows tonight will range from the low to mid 50s. Sunday and Monday As upper-level cyclonic flow gradually moves through the Great Lakes Sunday into Monday, several embedded short-wavelength troughs will move overhead. As a result, Sunday will be marked by seasonable temperatures in the mid to upper 70s and breezy northwest winds. Winds will turn onshore on Monday, leading to a seasonably chilly day with highs in the lower 60s lakeside to lower 70s inland. While our forecast is dry both days, it wouldn`t take much to squeeze out a few sprinkles during both afternoons as low-level lapse rates steepen and allow for appreciable depth to cumulus clouds. Also, onshore winds will cause choppy waves and dangerous swimming conditions across all Illinois and Indiana Lake Michigan beaches on Monday. Tuesday Onward: A gradual warming trend is expected Tuesday onward. Ensemble model guidance continues to advertise summer-like (and above-average) temperatures returning by the end of the week, following by increasing humidity levels (and chances for thunderstorms) sometime during the 3rd week of the month. Borchardt && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/...
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Issued at 1240 AM CDT Sun Jun 9 2024 Key Messages: - Breezy WNW winds develop by this afternoon with gusts to 30kt - Gusty northeast wind shift this evening (between ~1-4Z) followed by a period of MVFR CIGS overnight Winds will be light and at times variable early this morning with patchy shallow ground fog (MIFG) in low-lying areas outside of Chicago. After daybreak, expect west northwesterly winds to steadily increase through the morning, with gusts to 30kt expected during the afternoon. Winds and gusts begin to ease toward sunset; however, a gusty northeast wind shift is expected behind another lake enhanced cold front this evening (roughly between 1-4Z). The timing of this wind shift will need to be refined with later updates. A period of MVFR stratus may accompany the front for at least part of the overnight hours before scattering out toward daybreak Monday. Petr
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&& .LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. IN...None. LM...None. && $$ Visit us at weather.gov/chicago