Sunburns are up this year and the recent spate of clear, haze-free days is a major factor. That’s the word from dermatologist Dr. Bryan Schultz, who says the number of patients reporting burns is among the highest he’s seen in years. He’s been in the area for more than two decades and measures the strength of the sunlight at his Oak Park office each day. “Sunlight intensity is the strongest I’ve seen in some time.” says Schultz.
Exceptionally low humidities have reduced haze levels and may be playing a role. Schultz says sunburns may be aggravated by certain medications which make the skin especially sensitive to sunlight.
Temps Wednesday only reached 54° in Chicago—a reading which equals the highs on April 7 and 12, the coolest daytime readings this month. April 1-13, 2005 ranks 9th warmest of any comparable period since 1871. The month has yet to produce a single high below 50° to date, joining only two other Aprils in the past 134 years to do so.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
