A bit of late-season frost greets early risers in some northwest suburban locations Saturday—but not for long. Sunshine returns with gusto and wastes little time going to work on the cool air mass in place at daybreak. With just 31 percent of this area’s possible sun reported over the past week, this weekend’s generous allotment will be welcome.
Chilly air tightened its grip on the Chicago area Friday, delivering the coolest afternoon readings here in 10 days. Temperatures, which peaked at 58° at 2:06 p.m., had pulled back to the low 50s by the evening rush hour. The 6 degree slide occurred as north winds took on enough of an easterly component to slice ashore off Lake Michigan’s cool waters. May 5 has produced cooler readings than Friday’s 58° only three times since 1970—the coolest among them being 43° in 1978.
Thunderstorms pounded west Texas Friday, producing eight twisters and 4.2”-diameter hail (grapefruit size) near Seminole.
--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.
