The 80° high predicted Wednesday brings to three the number of 80s on the books here in 2006. Only 12 of the 36 years since 1970 have logged as many or more 80s by May 3. The month is running 20° warmer than a year ago and is likely to add to the surplus this afternoon into Thursday before a sharp, two-day temperature downturn hits Friday and Saturday.
But, it’s on the precipitation front where truly significant differences appear over a year ago. Rainfall since March 1 at the area’s National Weather Service COOP observer stations is running two to three times—or even more—the levels recorded a year ago as the area plunged into a drought it’s been unable to shake until recent months. Measurable precipitation fell for the 30th time this meteorological spring Tuesday, far ahead of last springs 18 and the most here in 13 years (since 1993) when 33 days of measurable rain had occurred by this date.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
