Chicago’s south suburbs recorded the area’s heaviest rainfalls Thursday in the first of what will be a series of thundery spells over the next few weeks. Temperatures soared to within striking distance of 100° downstate at the same time that dew points, which reflect atmospheric moisture levels, reached the mid 70s—levels typical of a tropical rain forest. It proved an explosive mix and produced thunderstorm clusters which drenched Mokena with 1.50” of rain. Totals exceeded 1.00” at Joliet and Romeoville. Midway Airport’s 0.51” was the heaviest there in two weeks.
Though Chicago’s northern suburbs missed out on the first wave, radars tracked the approach of a new round of showers and thunderstorms late Thursday.
Were Chicago to receive measurable rain at some point each day through Monday, it would mark the first time since January that five consecutive days recorded precipitation.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
