Tuesday’s unlimited sun delivered the year’s strongest ultraviolet rays to-date, reports dermatologist Dr. Bryan Schultz. It also sent area temps soaring into the 80s for the fifth time in 2005. The 82° high recorded at 2:59 p.m. at O’Hare was a July-level reading which was 14° above normal. Only six other May 10 temps since 1960 have been as warm or warmer. Gary, Ind. hosted this area’s warmest reading, reaching 86°, while Kankakee, Morris and Romeoville all topped out at 84°. But, the prize for the warmest statewide temperature belongs to Champaign and Lincoln where the mercury touched 90°!
Howling NE winds promise a full scale temp retreat Wednesday. NOAA buoys on Lake Michigan recorded 38 and 44° water temps late Tuesday and predicted wind trajectories hold the flow over those chilly waters before coming ashore—the same set-up which generated last Saturday’s 40s in the city.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
