Weekend Storm System Brings Wintry Mix, Heavy Rain and Strong Winds

High pressure will settle into the Plains and Midwest during the afternoon Thursday before pulling off to the east by Friday afternoon.  Temperatures will warm into the mid and upper 30s Thursday and Friday.

Low pressure will develop over the southern Plains late Friday night/Saturday morning, lifting into the mid-Mississippi River Valley Saturday afternoon.  Strong winds in the lower part of the will push temperatures into the upper 30s and low 40s Saturday, holding temperatures in the 30s through Sunday morning.

There is a chance for light freezing rain late Friday night into Saturday morning before the precipitation changes over to rain during Saturday afternoon.  Rainfall totals could reach half inch across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. 

Low pressure will then pass through the Great Lakes before moving into the northeast Sunday afternoon.  As it does, the low will strengthen quite a bit causing winds to quickly increase Saturday night and Sunday.  Wind gusts could be as high as 40-45 mph during the afternoon.

Colder air will get wrapped in behind the low during the afternoon Sunday, bringing temperatures down into the teens by Sunday night.