Chicago’s second and third 80° days of 2005 are likely to occur today and again Tuesday. Warming southwest flow digs in today and continues Tuesday. Higher dew points also accompany the warmer air, especially Tuesday. With the approach of a cold front, showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop over northeast Illinois later Tuesday afternoon and continue that night. With a shift to north winds behind the cold front, Wednesday will see temperatures moderate considerably, and for the rest of the week temperatures will be closer to mid-April normals. However, if projections are correct, temperatures will average above normal until Friday. This would mark 22 consecutive days with above-normal readings to start this April, far exceeding the all-time record of just 10 above normal days beginning April in 1871 and 1969. The southern and central Plains continue to be under the threat of severe storms today and Tuesday.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
