Tuesday’s high temperature is likely to tie--if not exceed—2005’s warmest Chicago reading to date: the 77° reading reached just under a week ago on March 30. Such a temp level is normally observed here in June and runs more than 20° above normal. More direct sunlight—three and a half times stronger than in December—is a major force behind the warming. In addition, strong southerly winds are playing a role, transporting air, which only 24 hours ago was centered over central and southern Texas, quickly north into the city before it can cool.
Chicago area temps moved above 60° Monday for only the seventh time this year. Weather observations confirm that seven such readings are typical by this date—but as many 21 occurred by April 5 five years ago in 2000. Temps peaked above 80° Monday in Moline, Peoria, Champaign, Bloomington and Springfield.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
