Wednesday’s comparatively tranquil daytime weather--including an 18th daytime temperature at or above 70° this year--belies a series of important meteorological changes which are on the way. The Chicago area appears poised to experience its most prolonged spell of consecutive 50s beyond May 10 since five occurred back to back between May 17-21 in 2002. Weather records reveal strings of three of more 50s occur here this time of year an average of one May in five. The longest such string occurred in 1917, a period in which the city’s official weather observations were taken closer to the lake than today. A spell of 13 consecutive 40 and 50° days was logged that year between May 1-13.
A powerful storm initiates the Chicago area’s transition to markedly cooler temperatures beginning in Thursday’s pre-dawn hours. By Thursday afternoon, readings will have plunged more than 20°.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
