Temperatures surge back into the 70s Saturday afternoon and may become May 2006’s highest to date if a bit of compressional warming—the heating which results as air sinks and compresses—materializes as predicted. Low 70s are assured with or without any enhanced warming. But, with the Chicago area predicted to sit beneath a pocket of especially strong jet stream winds (the jet streak), a region where air sinks and warms on a large scale, a 75° high appears within reach later Saturday. It’s a reading one degree warmer than May’s previous warmest temperature of 74° back on the 10th.
The passage of a wind-shifting cold front, predicted to occur here between 8-10 p.m. Saturday, may generate several gusty thunderstorms and introduce cooler air for Sunday—especially near the lake with NNE winds locking in during the afternoon.
Heat to the west broke records Friday and produced 100° highs in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma.
--Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
