Forecast: Cloudy, windy with a threat of showers and storms

Storms out west are continuing their march toward Chicagoland, bringing with them the threat of heavy downpours, damaging winds and large hail.

While Friday was unseasonably warm, the cloud cover may have increased stability in the atmosphere.

“If we do see more sunshine when we have these warmer temperatures and humid conditions, that typically creates a more unstable atmosphere and fuels that potential for thunderstorm activity a little bit more,” WGN meteorologist Alyssa Donovan said Friday evening. “So, better news for us that we didn’t see much sunshine today.”

The Chicago area remains in a level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk for potentially strong or severe thunderstorms toward or just beyond sunset.

Much cooler, but quieter conditions on tap for Saturday following Friday night’s thunderstorm threat.

The next weather system arrives by lunchtime Easter Sunday, and spells of showers are likely throughout the afternoon and evening with the potential for a few thunderstorms.

Forecast highs next 9 days along with the mean temperature forecast anomaly for April 17 through 23 and April 24 through 30  

April temperature roller coaster continues, but the milder air is beginning to gain a foot hold as we move into next week and the final days of April. 

This is evident in the 8-14 day temperature outlook which covers the final 7 days of the month.

Here is blended model QPF (quantitative precipitation forecast) for the next seven days. An axis of very heavy rainfall with upwards of 3-5 inches possible from northern Texas into downstate Illinois.

For the Chicago area, rainfall amounts near 1.00 inches are predicted, but as is the case in thunderstorms, amounts can vary from one location to another.