Widespread soaking rainfall on the way next week

 After a windy and cold Halloween evening, Friday was pleasant with abundant sunshine and much less wind. Saturday will feature more of the same and even warmer temperatures. Afternoon highs will reach near the 60-degree mark, a little warmer than average for this time of year. But our next rain chances loom large late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Many likely remain dry through much of Saturday night, but early Sunday morning will be when our first wave of showers arrive. Heaviest rain through early morning will likely remain West of I-39, but showers will fill in across the whole region by midday. Steady to moderate rain then will last through Sunday afternoon before tapering off into the evening.

 

A second wave of showers will then arrive Monday morning, with similar intensity of showers until the early afternoon. Another lull in the precipitation arrives for the afternoon before more rain filters in late evening and overnight Monday. This Monday night window may feature embedded thunderstorms, with some strong storms possible. Our last main window of precipitation arrives Tuesday morning and lasts through much of the afternoon. As of now, rain looks to stick around through much of the daytime hours on Tuesday, so make plans to bring an umbrella with if you as you head out to vote on election day!

 

Total rainfall amounts over the three-day period may exceed 2-3" for some, with the highest axis of rainfall across Northwestern Illinois as of now. This rain would certainly help with drought conditions that have been growing over the last couple months. Higher amounts of rain especially within tracks of any thunderstorms may swing the pendulum too far though, with some minor flooding possible amid the highest rainfall totals.

With the rainy stretch, temperatures will remain very mild with highs in the 60s each of Sunday-Tuesday. Overnight lows Sunday and Monday nights will also be in the 60s, even above our normal *highs* this time of year! Our next cold front arrives Tuesday evening, dropping us back into the 50s for the second half of next week.