March 27--North winds from an approaching Canadian high pressure system will not only trigger lake-effect snow showers around the south end of Lake Michigan on Friday, it will also usher unusually cold air into the Chicago area.
Friday's projected high of 30 degrees would be the coldest March 27 high here in 81 years -- matching a 30-degree high recorded on this date in 1934. The record coldest high for this date is 26 degrees, set in 1904.
Lake-effect snow showers began overnight Thursday and continued into Friday morning along the Illinois-Indiana shoreline, extending inland a few miles.
Snow accumulation of an inch or so was reported in some spots, especially along the Indiana shoreline.
As the chilly high pressure moves east, lake-effect snow will end later Friday and temperatures will moderate slightly Saturday, with highs in the mid- to upper 30s -- some 15 degrees below normal.
Gusty southerly winds will help boost readings Saturday, but increasing cloudiness spreading over the area will hold highs in the mid- to upper 40s -- still below normal for this time of year.
