Not since 1983 have the opening eight days of August failed to produce measurable rain at either of the city’s official weather observation sites. And while there are growing signs rain may appear on the scene over the coming week, Chicago’s rain deficit has grown to 10.12” since March 1. The dry weather’s impact has been devastating on the region’s corn crop. While some pockets of timely rainfall put some fields in better shape than others across northern and central Illinois, the latest USDA crop condition report rates 61% of Illinois’ corn crop in “poor” or “very poor” condition—the worst of any state in the Midwest.
Limited soil moisture contributed to low humidities amid Monday’s soaring Chicago readings. The area’s average daytime relative humidity of 54% was lower than the 69% average in perennially dry Phoenix, Ariz. The mercury climbed past 90° for the 29th time in 2005 at Midway (93°) and the 20th time at O’Hare (93°) Monday.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
