...and by that, I don't mean we're heading back to the 70s! Instead, I'm referring to a phenomenon known as retrograde motion. At our latitude, weather systems generally move from west to east. However, occasionally conditions in the atmosphere cause storms to move contrary to the expected flow. Such is the case today. The massive and powerful snowstorm making national headlines on the East Coast is actually moving to the northwest, and it's western edge is now visible in the skies over Chicagland in the form of high thin cirrus clouds this morning. During the day, the cloud deck will thicken as the storm spirals more moisture into our area from the Atlantic. Eventually, snow showers will accompany those clouds. I am not expecting much accumulation, but it does appear it will be stronger than mere flurries. An inch or snow will be possible through Saturday. That a storm so far away can have any impact here is a testament to the intensity of this monster. The central pressure of the storm is comparable to a hurricane, and indeed winds gusting to near hurricane force have battered the coast. Snowfall in excess of two feet has buried parts of New York, with flooding rains in coastal New England. Stay tuned to the ABC-7 Mothership for amazing video from the hardest hit areas, as well as our forecast.
Mike
