National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Frigid Airmass to Bring Significantly Colder Temperatures; Heavy Lake-effect Snow; Fire Concerns Across the Central Gulf Coast

A frigid cold airmass will bring significantly colder weather across the eastern two thirds of the country early this week. Temperatures will tie or break many records across the Southeast through tonight. Moderate to heavy lake effect snow will continue downwind of the Great Lakes. Gusty winds and dry conditions will support an elevated fire weather threat across the Central Gulf Coast. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

  • A major storm system impacted a large amount of the U.S., from heavy rain in the mid-Mississippi Valley to Great Lakes, heavy snow in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, severe storms and tornadoes including in Texas, and gusty winds.
  • Multiple periods of moderate to heavy rain, at times occurring with thunder, fell across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana during the weekend of April 29-30.
  • Two-day rain totals of 1.50" to over 5" were observed across the entire area, with the heaviest of 3" to 5+" centered on the Illinois River Valley to Chicago during the afternoon and evening of April 29th.
  • The highest rainfall amounts were 5.42" in Minooka near the Grundy/Will County border, and in central LaSalle County including 5.34" in LaSalle, 4.90" near Ottawa, and 4.74" in Peru. 
  • Chicago (O'Hare) officially recorded 3.27" of rainfall.
  • The rainfall brought localized flooding in numerous locations as well as sharp rises on tributaries of the Illinois River and the Illinois River itself.
  • Gusty winds were observed on Saturday evening, April 29.  The highest gusts were between 40 and 55 mph.
Radar Loop
Radar Loop from Saturday, April 29 - Sunday April, 30
nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.
nws logo