This weekend will not feel anything like the second weekend of meteorological fall. July-level temperatures have come to town, part of an expanding dome of heat which pushed readings Friday to near 100° as far north as North Dakota’s border with Canada. Readings here are likely to reach or exceed 90° the next four days, making this only the third weekend of 2005 to produce back-to-back 90s. What’s more, September is about to pass another Chicago temperature benchmark. With the uninterrupted string of 80° or higher daytime readings continuing Saturday, the city equals the current record of 10 consecutive September days at or above 80°. Each additional 80° in coming days will set a new record. September 2005 is the area’s fourth month in a row to post a temperature surplus.
The season’s first major mountaintop snowstorm hits Montana’s peaks this weekend. Sections of Glacier National Park above 5,000 feet may see snow totals of 6-10”.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
