Residents of the Plains, scorched by blistering heat, would no doubt pay for the “cooler”, more comfortable air headed for Chicago in coming days. To characterize the weather ahead as “cool” is relative. The 70s predicted Friday and much of Saturday are actually seasonable—but a far cry from last week’s near 100°. Cool spells in August don’t mark the end of hot weather. Eight 90s typically occur from this point forward.
Oklahoma City hasn’t experienced a temperature below 90° since June 26. Fifteen of the past 16 days have exceeded 100°. New records were established Thursday at Joplin (102°) and Vichy/Rolla (100°) in Missouri and in Mississippi at Greenwood (102°) and Vicksburg (101°).
Downpour-generating rains flared at the periphery of the hot air. Lincoln was swamped by 1.77” Wednesday while a record-breaking 2.79” drenched Evansville, Indiana.
-Tom Skilling
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
