It's back to the 90s this weekend over much of the metro area, extending to 14 and 15 the number of consecutive above-normal days here. August's warmer-than-normal trend -- nearly 6 degrees above average -- has pushed the month's ranking to 3rd warmest at O'Hare since 1959.
Saturday's light easterly winds protect the narrow corridor within a few miles of the lake from the area's hottest temperatures as readings there hold to the mid 80s. But on Sunday, the heat is to extend up to and over the shoreline as SW winds take hold.
Several potential complications arise Sunday. Oppressive levels of humidity are predicted with dewpoints surging into the mid 70s -- similar to tropical rain forests. In addition, the atmosphere is to become incredibly unstable -- i.e. temperatures are to plummet vertically at a much faster pace than usual. Add to the mix converging winds along a cold front, a vigorous jet stream above and atmospheric energy levels at the upper end of the spectrum, and powerful storms may erupt over parts of the area.
--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.
