Friday's high temperatures ran in the mid 80s around the metro area except for cooler conditions along the Lake Michigan shoreline. If highs reach the upper 80s both today and Sunday as forecast, readings will average over 20 degrees above normal. This weekend would go down as the warmest in eight weeks -- dating back to the weekend of Aug. 11-12 -- and it would be the 4th warmest weekend of the entire year. This warmth is so unusual that the Cubs are actually coming back to continue the playoffs in a warmer location: Phoenix is expecting highs only in the low to mid 80s.
Sunday's 30th annual LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will most likely be run under the warmest conditions ever with runners advised to guard against potential overheating, cramping or other heat-related maladies. A cold frontal passage Monday will usher in much cooler air with highs expected to be 20 to 25 degrees cooler for the rest of the week.
--By Paul Dailey, 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.
