There’s a chill in the air as Friday gets underway. But, the day’s unlimited sunshine and low humidity provide the perfect environment for rapid warming in west and south suburban locations not subjected to the day’s lake-cooled east/northeast flow. But, unlike the NNE winds, which traveled over 200 miles of chilly lake water before coming ashore here, Friday’s more easterly winds remain over the cool waters for only 80 miles. It’s a change with real consequences. While these winds still lower lakeshore temps, the extent of cooling—including its inland penetration—is reduced.
Each day brings additional signs of spring, this time of year, and Thursday was no exception. Phoenix, Ariz. recorded its first 90° plus temp (96°) of 2005—though a far cry from the 13 which had occurred by this date last year. And 50° temps reached north to sections of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
