Wednesday’s predicted 50° high not only becomes the area’s mildest temperature in six weeks but also marks a stunning 60° rebound from the depth of the just completed three-week cold wave. The chilly spell hit bottom when the mercury dove to -10° the morning of Feb. 5. The huge temp rebound has sent the meltdown of the area’s once impressive snow pack into overdrive, saturating the lowest several thousand feet of the atmosphere with the moisture which fuels Wednesday morning’s haze and areas of fog. The snow cover at Midway Airport diminished from nearly 9" early Monday to only an inch by nightfall Tuesday—an 8" loss in just 36 hours!
Tuesday’s 45° at O’Hare and 47° at Midway marked the area’s mildest readings in 39 days. But the mild temps weren’t the only sign of spring’s approach. Powerful t-storms unleashed barrages of large hail—including 1.75” diameter stones at Ullin, Ill. in downstate Pulaski County.
--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.
