Strong winds accompany scattered showers this weekend

 A series of low-pressure systems will slide through the region over the next several days, bringing several rounds of strong winds and showers. Wind is created when air flows from an area of high pressure into an area of low pressure. With several strong lows moving overhead, we will see increased difference, or gradient from the high to low pressure, increasing our wind potential through early next week.

Each of the next few days will feature wind gusts peaking at least 20-30 mph. The direction of the wind will change each day with the passing lows, acting like a vacuum to pull large air masses toward it. On the leading edge of each low, South or Southwest winds could gust between 20-30 mph Saturday and Monday. On the back side of the lows, Northwest winds could push 30-40 mph Sunday and Tuesday.

That will also influence temperatures quite a bit. Southerly winds push afternoon highs into the upper 60s or 70s Saturday and Monday, while stronger Northwest wind will keep afternoon highs near or below 60 degrees Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

These low pressure systems will also bring increased chances for rain. Starting Friday night, scattered showers will arrive after midnight from West to East. Scattered showers and an isolated rumble of thunder will then be possible through about 8-9AM.

Much of the daytime Saturday will be dry, but an isolated shower or thunderstorm may develop in a narrow window of instability across Northern Illinois during the afternoon and evening. Higher coverage of rain arrives with the passing of a strong low pressure center just to the East. Periods of steady rain will be possible Saturday night into Sunday morning.

When all is said and done, much of the Stateline may just miss out on the much-needed soaking rainfall. Highest potential for rainfall totals to reach an inch or more are centered across Northern Indiana into Michigan, following the track of the developing low pressure. Locally, Northwestern Illinois may receive between 0.25-0.5" of rain, while Northeastern Illinois may get between 0.5-1.5".