Temperatures soared past 60° across Iowa and Missouri less than 340 miles west of Chicago Thursday. And 60s dominated Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota—readings more than 30° above normal at some locations there. It’s the latest surge of mild air to render historic averages all but obsolete in January 2006. Powerful 30+ m.p.h. gusts within the same air mass bring Chicago its third day of 50s this month.
Only 31 of the 135 Januarys on record here—fewer than 25%—have recorded three or more 50s. Interestingly, the January which produced the greatest number of 50s—13 of them—occurred 126 years ago in 1880.
The city’s unbroken string of daily temperature surpluses reaches 36 Friday. A modest downturn is projected next week though more substantial cooling, including possible arctic air, is still indicated the following week.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
