In only 13 of the past 136 years have Chicagoans enjoyed warmer temperatures in the opening 7 days of November. Though cooler easterly winds have replaced Monday’s mild, gusty southwest flow, the first week of the month ranks as the warmest here since 1978 and the 14th warmest of the last 136 Novembers. The period’s 53.4° average temperature has soared 7.7° above the long term average dating back to 1870. Departures of that magnitude have a way of not lasting. One of Fall 2005’s coolest air masses to date arrives for a short stay later Wednesday into Friday morning. But warmth returns Saturday and may include Chicago’s third November 70°.
The current pattern may be showing the first signs of fatigue in the 1-2 week range. A chunk of frigid air off the bitter, sub-zero arctic air mass which has gripped northwest North America for more than a week, could be headed this way toward Thanksgiving.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
