Chicago’s recent stretch of mild 40s and 50s is now in the rear view mirror as a more seasonable air mass takes up residence. But with Christmas approaching and the winter solstice just days away, Chicagoans are well aware of just how brutal winter weather can be here this time of the year. Though this week’s high temperatures will be down 10-15º they will still be above seasonable normals(lower/middle 30s), not too bad at a time of year when the mercury has frequently ventured into subzero territory.
Saturday’s departing warmth sent temperatures soaring well above normal, sometimes to record levels, across portions of the Plains and Midwest. Some of the new records included 84º at Childress, Texas, 72º at Joplin, Mo. and a record-tying 61º at Lamoni, Iowa.
Heavy rain continues in south Florida. West Palm Beach received more than 1.5” of rain Saturday elevating the total there since Thursday to around 10”.
--By Steve Kahn, 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.
