The opening three weeks of April 2005 and 2006 have been delightfully mild. Last year, the city racked up nine days of 70º or higher including three days in the 80s, similar to our current eight days with two in the 80s. However, the warmth ended abruptly in 2005 with highs for the rest of that month mainly limited to the 40s and 50s.
Cooler weather is headed for the area again this year with weekend readings in the 60s heading down to the 50s by the middle of next week as winds turn northwesterly. The chilly weather may even bring a threat of frost to outlying areas by Wednesday morning. Such a cool-down is not unexpected this time of year: The city’s average date of the last sub-50º high is May 1.
Precipitation has been a different story: In April 2005, scant rainfall contributed to the start of last year’s drought, while frequent rains and even some flooding this year have significantly improved the area’s moisture deficit.
--Steve Kahn, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
