Wednesday’s thunderstorms unexpectedly held together after crossing the Mississippi and surged into Chicago with the most rain in nearly 5 weeks. The price to pay was scattered severe weather, including widespread tree damage and a gustnado (a mini tornado at the leading edge of a thunderstorm) in Lake county, Ill., and 69 m.p.h. winds at Coal City southwest of Joliet. The reward was 0.60 in. of rain at O’Hare, the heaviest rain there in two months. Statewide the drought has crippled the corn crop, with 55 percent in poor to very poor condition. Last year at this time, only 2 percent of the crop suffered.
Meanwhile, heat in the West continues to build into the Plains. 100°+ temperatures were common across Kansas and Nebraska, and reached as far east as Quincy, Ill. A weak cold front inches into the area Friday, delaying the onset of scorching heat here until Sunday and Monday. Significant heat relief finally settles in next Wednesday.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
