As the first month of meteorological summer enters its final week, hot weather is on hiatus from Chicago. So far this June has produced only two 90º+ days here—a total not expected to change by month’s end. The heat remains entrenched in the western states with 100s expected Sunday from the southwestern deserts to the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday, Death Valley, California set a record high with a scorching 125º, besting the old record by one degree.
In contrast, with an upper-level low pressure system settling over the Midwest, Chicago is in for a week of temperatures fluctuating between the 70s and lower 80s, along with an almost daily threat of showers and thunderstorms.
Despite recent rains here and the promise of more to come, the hit-and-miss nature of summer precipitation has left much of this region teetering on the verge of dryness, as the area tries to recuperate from last year’s severe drought.
-Steve Kahn, WGN-TV Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
