Big weather changes, including the city’s first 80° high in 5 weeks are getting underway. Temperatures surge back into the 70s Tuesday afternoon with the first 80° of May due Wednesday. But, warming really gathers steam this weekend, offering Chicago its first shot at a 90° Memorial Day high for the first time in the 12 years since 1994.
Monday’s cloud-free skies produced only the second day this month with 100% of its possible sunshine, but the sun’s rays were unable to overcome lake cooling. Monday was the 12th straight day to produce a temperature deficit. The period’s average 61.1° daily high is the 2nd lowest May 11-22 on the books since the start of weather observations at O’Hare in 1959.
The story in the Plains couldn’t have been more different. Temperatures sizzled with new records at Chadron (93°), Alliance (92°) and Imperial (94°)—all in Nebraska.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
