Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Chicago, IL

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary Off
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
764 FXUS63 KLOT 282327 AFDLOT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL 627 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered thunderstorms will continue into early this evening, the strongest storms could produce gusty winds and small hail. - Dry conditions with seasonable temps Wed-Fri, followed by at least periodic chances of showers/storms over the weekend into early next. && .DISCUSSION...
-- Changed Discussion --
Issued at 244 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024 Through Wednesday Night: Scattered thunderstorms have developed ahead of the wave moving down from Wisconsin. As they moved down, 1000 J/kg of CAPE is assisting in convective development and sporadic lightning. This actively is expected to continue through the rest of the afternoon and evening with chances diminishing after sunset. Better mid level lapse rates look to be farther to the south and west, and wind shear values are fairly minimal keeping the severe risk marginal (level 1 out of 5 from the Storm Prediction Center). The main threats are expected to be the potential for small, up to penny size, hail as well as localized wind gusts capable of downing some tree branches. As stronger storms develop, there is also the risk for heavier downpours than may result in ponding on roadways and localized flooding, especially for urban areas. Lastly, while the chances may be low, with the cold air aloft that is moving in and potentially interacting with the lake breeze boundary that arrived earlier today, it would not be surprising if there were a few funnel clouds that get reported. The wave will gradually move east through the night, and shower chances will gradually diminish. The HRRR/RAP/RRFS have a little moisture wrapping around the back side of the wave, so added a slight chance for a few sprinkles overnight, though confidence is low and impacts should be minimal. Winds behind the wave will turn to the north and strengthen. Cooler air will be advected in for temperatures in the low 50s and isolated ares in the upper 40s. Stronger winds over the lake will increase wave heights creating high swim risk for beaches from Cook County and down the Indiana shores of Lake Michigan on Wednesday. Otherwise, an upper level ridge grows over the region allowing for height rises and drier conditions with temperatures in the 70s inland and 60s along the lakeshore on Wednesday. DK Thursday through Tuesday: Break in the active pattern should continue through the rest of the work week with dry conditions expected. Seasonable temperatures are expected Thursday, though lake breeze will keep temperatures cooler near the lake. Friday will be a bit warmer as narrow upper ridging moves across the area. Lake cooling Friday looks more likely to be confined to the IL shore. EPS and GEFS both suggest there will be a transition to a more zonal flow pattern across the country this weekend into early next week. There will undoubtedly be low amplitude waves rippling through the zonal flow this weekend into early next week. Unfortunately, these type of waves can easily become convectively enhanced and are notoriously have low predictability in the medium range. NBM PoPs are in the chance range over the weekend into early next week and this is certainly reasonable. Also worth noting that there will be many day hours over the weekend into early next week, so important not to be deceived by precip chances every period of the forecast, the weekend shouldn`t be a washout. Temperatures this weekend into early next week will be above average, outside of any convective interruptions. - Izzi
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Issued at 620 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024 Key Aviation Messages: - Scattered thunderstorms ending early this evening. Spotty SHRA may linger into the night for the Chicago metro terminals. - Period of MVFR ceilings possible especially at KGYY overnight. - NNW winds turn NE midday/early afternoon Wednesday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to track east- southeast across southern Lake Michigan and northwest IN at issuance time. With the potential for isolated TS remaining in ORD`s arrival paths over the next hour, maintained a VCTS mention. Otherwise, it will dry out across inland parts of northern IL this evening, though scattered showers may continue to shift south from WI along the IL Lake Michigan shore area past midnight as a mid-level disturbance tracks across the western Lakes. Some patchy MVFR ceilings occur with this activity, with high-res guidance indicating the greatest potential over the lake into KGYY. VFR conditions are then expected on Wednesday. Surface winds will become north-northwest early this evening, with a few gusts near 20 kts possible for a brief time. Winds are expected to eventually turn northeast midday to early afternoon Wednesday. Ratzer
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
IL...Beach Hazards Statement from 4 AM CDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening for ILZ103-ILZ104. IN...Beach Hazards Statement from 4 AM CDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening for INZ001-INZ002. LM...Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM to 10 PM CDT Wednesday for Wilmette Harbor IL to Michigan City IN.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ Visit us at weather.gov/chicago