Current Conditions & Forecast (Feb. 18)

Right now, we're watching high pressure move into place across the Great Lakes and Midwest, where we'll see sunny skies. However, with that high pressure comes windy conditions as the pressure lines are so close together up in the atmosphere.

The main concern right now in the forecast is a low pressure system forecast to come and cross somewhere in our forecast area.

Right now, however, the moisture and energy that will eventually give birth to this low pressure system is offshore. The Weather Centre expects the low pressure system to come onshore sometime this weekend into Monday.

At this time, the computer models aren't in a good agreement with this storm. However, 3 models are suggesting a general track where the low would slice through North Illinois, or the IL/WI border.

The Weather Centre already posted a graphic on this storm about 2 days ago, and that still stands.

For the weather enthusiast, maps and graphs will be posted as this storm nears.

For the person who just wants the forecast, you may look on the Current Weather Page.

SREF Agrees with a Central IL Track.

The SREF, which handles storms about 24 hours out very well, has made a general consensus that a central IL track is preferred. This image is the latest as of 12z.

NAM Moves South (6z-12z Run)

The NAM has moved south. The first image is the 6z image, while the latter image is the latest run (12z). Notice how the system went southward.

6z GFS Feb. 18 Run Chicago O'Hare

Note the FREEZING RAIN accumulation of .8 inches in Chicago.

Forecast for NAO (Feb. 18 to Mar. 6)

When the NAO is negative, a winter storm is typically forecast for the Midwest area