resending -- new blog; severe weather possible, heavy rain likely

We've already had our first technical difficulties, so I'm resending this. Everyone should be added to the Google Group now and get this second post that way rather than directly from me. 

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After many requests I've decided to join the 21st century -- or at least the first decade of the 21st century -- and post these weather updates and a few other resources on a blog. 

http://chicagosevereweather.blogspot.com/

I'm doing this now for two reasons. First, it's easier to create a Google Group than it is to maintain an email list and send the emails directly. Second, this will leave a permanent, easily accessible archive. After that "surprise" Monday-morning snow a few weeks ago -- I took the under on 1-2" of snow and we got 4-6" -- I heard about my shortcomings from more than a few of you. That's ironic because I didn't get any flack for the Super Bowl Snowstorm on February 1st, which I missed to a far greater degree. And I never hear about it when things go "right," so maybe I'm just doing this to amuse myself, but whatever. This blog will provide a platform for everything, whatever that's worth. 

You should have just received a welcome message from the Google Group. After this post you'll only get emails directly from the blog (via the Google Group) when there's a new post. You should get this message twice -- once from me directly and once from the Google Group.  Please email me if something isn't working. 

Now for the good stuff:

• After a very dry spring so far the pattern has turned wet. It is possible that we'll see as much rain (3-4") in the next 10 days as we've seen all year.
• Thunderstorms are likely late tonight. Some may produce downpours and hail.
• An outbreak of severe weather is possible tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon and evening. We're currently at an "Enhanced" level of risk for severe storms, which is the middle point of a five-point scale of risk. As always, the timing and specifics are difficult to pinpoint, but stay tuned. It's not going to rain all day, and it will be nice and warm (likely over 70 degrees) even down to the lakefront. But at this point any outdoor plans for Thursdayafternoon/evening look likely to be impacted, and there is decent potential for some really strong storms. 
• After this chilly weather things look likely to warm up. The 5-10 day models are all pointing to above-normal temps, so there is a good chance we'll see some warmth (60s and 70s in the afternoon) this weekend through next week, at least for those locations that escape Lake Michigan cooling. 
• In other news it is (or has been) snowing across parts of MN/WI and upper New England. So there's that.