WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.

Plunge of 30° to set off lake-effect rains

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Dramatic weather changes are underway, among them a precipitous temperature drop, likely to produce the Chicago area’s first lake-effect rain showers Friday. The downturn, which is to effectively slash readings from mid-July to early November levels, comes on the heels of the second warmest October since official records began here in 1871.
The month’s opening five days have posted a nearly unprecedented 15.8° temperature surplus. Only October 1-5, 1922 was warmer, averaging 75.6° compared to this year’s 73.4°.
Tropical Storm Tammy’s formation off north Florida Wednesday leaves only two names on the formal 2005 hurricane list: Vince and Wilma. Greek alphabet letters (i.e. “Alpha”, “Beta”, etc.) will be employed to identify any additional storms. Before landfall, Tammy swamped St. Simon’s Island, Ga. with 10.52” of rain.