Active Pattern Heading Into the Weekend, Potential for Bigger System Early Next Week

Strong southerly winds Thursday afternoon help warmed temperatures 10-15 degrees above Wednesday's high, warming into the upper 30s and low 40s. A couple systems will move through the jet stream this weekend, but depending on where exactly the jet stream sets up will determine whether or not we are impacted.

The first of those systems will pass Thursday night with a cold front moving into northern Illinois. The front will weaken as it shifts south, meaning limited precipitation chances and temperatures won't fall too far Friday morning. In fact, we'll still hold on to the southerly wind Friday with temperatures on either side of 40 degrees during the afternoon. A second system moves in from the west late Friday evening and this could bring some drizzle, flurries and even freezing drizzle overnight Friday, followed by a little light snow Saturday morning. Accumulations are not expected to be much with this system, but a few slicks spots early Saturday can't be ruled out.

Sunday will be dry, but cold. High pressure builds in for the afternoon with highs in the mid 20s. The potential exists for an even stronger low pressure system to then develop Monday afternoon, impacting northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This low *could* have some accumulating snowfall, the most since Veteran's Day, but the track of the low will be key. Two of our more reliable forecast models that go beyond the weekend have two completely different scenarios. 

First scenario would take low pressure east of the Rockies, shifting it across the Gulf states Sunday into Monday. This would mean much of the Stateline would avoid snow, or any precipitation, early next week. The second scenario would bring low pressure from the Plain to near St. Louis and Indianapolis Monday night. This would place northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin in the more favored area for accumulating snow. It's still yet to be seen what exactly will happen early next week, but the track of this next low is definitely something to keep an eye on.