Chill, with origins 2,500 miles north, easing slowly

The sun never sets this time of year north of the Arctic Circle, 2,500 miles north of Chicago near Victoria Island in far northern Canada. That’s been the source of the eastern and central Midwest’s chilly air in recent days. Even the abundance of sun at such high latitude locations this time of the year isn’t able to overcome the lingering chill of winter. With north winds aloft in recent days directing the late season arctic chill south into Chicago, it’s little wonder this month is running more than 2° below normal—the coolest May here in 9 years.
Charged particles off a massive solar flare Friday produced one of the country’s best auroral displays in 15 years over the weekend. Northern lights were visible from the Chicago area south to Alabama, Texas, southern California and Arizona. Even a scientist wintering at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica reported auroral activity.