Dedicated hot weather enthusiasts may grumble, but for many Chicagoans the past five days—the 5th coolest July 19-23 period since observations began in 1959 at O’Hare—have been a pleasant change. The summer had produced an ever-expanding roster of 90s at an impressive pace up until the recent cool weather’s arrival several weeks ago. Ten were on the books by July 9. Then the 90s stopped. The effect on this summer’s temperatures has been dramatic. The season has slipped from the 27th to the 43rd warmest of the past 137 years—a drop of 16 slots over the past 15 days.
Haze continues to increase slowly in coming days as humidities edge higher, and the area remains in an extremely disorganized surface wind regime. Winds aloft are a bit better organized but blowing into the area from the east. This carries more sunlight-filtering clouds into the area Tuesday and Wednesday. Cooling aloft lays the foundation for a few scattered thunderstorms Wednesday/Thursday.
--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.
