It’s supposed to be hot in July, but heat can bring problems when it’s too hot and too persistent. Long-lasting and excessive heat mounts to the level of disaster when it is accompanied by drought—and that has been the ongoing story across the western U.S. A multiyear drought, stretching to five years in some states, has set the stage for extreme wildfire problems. High temperatures, low humidity, gusty daytime winds and lightning strikes that sometimes extend beyond the reach of the limited rain areas of isolated afternoon mountain thunderstorms have set numerous wildfires. Unfortunately, computer models offer no significant change. Intense heat is forecast to persist at least into late July, and moisture will remain critically short.
Chicago’s 94° peak reading on Sunday topped Miami’s 91°. However, despite Chicago’s hot weather, the city did not come close to breaking the July 8 record of 99° set in 1955.
--By Richard Koeneman, 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.
