Chicagoans haven't experienced a more humid summer here since 2002. Since June, dew points, a measure of atmospheric moisture, have reached or exceeded the 70-degree level on 35 days -- 20 of them in August alone. Muggy air masses often feature dew points of 70-degrees-plus, which is why readings at that level have become the benchmark measurement in characterizing an air mass as humid. The last summer with more 70-degree-plus dew points was 2002 with 51 days. Friday's humid air provoked selective downpours, one of which swamped Midway Airport beginning at 10 a.m. with 0.90" in just 15 minutes. The site finished the day with a 1.09" tally. The WeatherBug rain sensor at Whitney Young High School reported the area's heaviest tally: 1.26".
After meandering for days several hundred miles off the Carolinas, west/northwest-bound subtropical storm Gabrielle was christened late Friday evening. Tropical storm watches were issued for the Carolina coasts.
--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.
