The weather’s cooperated nicely with Chicago-area voters in each election since at least 1996, sparing the area extremes of temperature and significant precipitation. Tuesday may wind up this area’s best Election Day of all in terms of weather. Though haze and cloudiness will be extensive, precipitation is to remain downstate, and computer models predict drying above a thick low cloud deck—a process expected to scour several sun-blocking mid and high level cloud decks out of Chicago skies. Thus, even though low clouds may hang on, the effect of eliminating clouds above may be to allow skies to brighten. And, air may sink just enough to open holes in the low overcast over at least sections of the metro area this afternoon.
The addition of some sunlight—no matter how limited—would allow temperatures to reach the 60s for the first time in eight days and could make today the mildest Election Day of at least the past six.
While mild here, downsloping Santa Ana winds sent Los Angeles temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 95° high Monday. And, compressional warming as winds descend into the Plains from the Rockies are to produce 80° highs as far north as South Dakota Tuesday.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
