The air mass poised just to the west resulted in high temperatures in the mid and upper 80s over western Illinois yesterday, and gusty southwest winds should push that same air over northeast Illinois today. Readings some 15 degrees above normal will be quite a change from the subnormal readings recorded the last seven days in September. The warm-up actually started Sunday under cloudless skies that veteran weather observer Frank Wachowski said gave the first day of 100 percent sunshine since Aug. 15!
A strong cold front preceded and accompanied by a band of showers and thunderstorms will shift winds sharply to the northeast Wednesday, resulting in daytime highs some 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Tuesday.
After a couple days with easterly winds, cool high pressure will drift east, and an increasing southerly flow will pull temperatures approaching 80° back into the Chicago area next Saturday.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
