Temperatures topped out in the middle 80s in most areas, some 15 degrees above normal, before a series of thunderstorms swept through late in the day.
Although storm coverage was scattered at any one time, most areas received some rain as at least four successive waves of storms overspread Chicagoland during the late afternoon hours. Some storms reached severe limits with strong winds and hail as big as 1.5 inches in a few spots.
For the early part of the week, warm, southerly flow continues as temperatures flirt with the upper 80s. Dew points of 70° or better and temperatures approaching 90° are possible in the southwest suburbs.
However, summer weather comes to an end on Wednesday as a sharp cold front sweeps through and sends temperatures crashing. Successive forecast model runs keep slowing this system down, so a final 80° is not out of the question on Wednesday.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
