Chalk up another first for 2005. Never until this year has Midway Airport gone 226 consecutive days above freezing—at least not since observations began in 1928.
This year’s persistent warmth is behind the new record. The streak of above-freezing days ended early Thursday when the mercury dipped to 31°—the first sub-freezing temperature at the South Side site since March 28.
The period which elapses between the final freezing temperature of spring and the first 32° of autumn—roughly the period between killing frosts—is also referred to as the growing season. Freezing temperatures at O’Hare first occurred Oct. 23, bringing an end to the growing season there 2-3 weeks earlier than Thursday’s close at Midway. The 226-day period above 32° was 47 days longer than the comparable period a year ago.
A sharp temperature rebound in the Plains Thursday will reach Chicago Friday afternoon—boosting readings here by 15 degrees.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
