Saturday’s predicted 58° high—a reading 24 degrees above normal—becomes December’s mildest temperature to date and may well be the highest reading to occur in the final two weeks of 2006. Extensive high and mid-level cloudiness will filter sunshine during the day—otherwise, readings would be even warmer. The air mass in place here Saturday originated over 450 miles south of Chicago Friday over southern Missouri and Arkansas where 60s and low 70s were common.
The current mild spell has slashed December’s ranking as one of the city’s coldest. The opening eight days averaged just over 18°—6th coldest in the past 137 years. But the past week has boosted Chicago’s December average to 27.6°—the 40th coolest Dec. 1-15 period since 1870.
A 50° reading at Midway Saturday and Sunday would push to five the number of 50s this month. Only 13 other Decembers since 1928 have hosted as many or more 50s by Dec. 17.
--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.
