Thursday’s 86° at O’Hare and 85° at Midway ended six consecutive days of below-normal temperatures and qualified as June 2006’s warmest yet. It’s relatively rare for temperatures at those levels to rank as this month’s warmest two weeks into June. Nearly 90% of Junes—69 of the past 78 since records started in 1928 at Midway Airport—have hosted hotter temperatures by this point in June. The comparatively cool weather—8.2° below the June 1-15 period a year ago—has been a boon to home and business owners in terms of air conditioning. Based on temperatures to date, it’s estimated only 58% of the typical level of air condiitoning has been required this month—73% less than the same period a year ago.
That all changes Friday with the heat’s arrival. Temps soar to the year’s highest levels yet.
The heat produced more t-storms in the Plains Thursday. Tennis ball hail fell for 20 minutes SW of Mullen, Neb.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
