Everything has to work just right, but if winds flow more south than east, this could end
up being Chicago's warmest day of the year so far. The previous 2008 high of 75 degrees
was recorded at the official O’Hare Airport site just last Friday. Southeast winds off cool
(45-50 degree) Lake Michigan will keep readings along the lakefront in the 60s, but a
more southerly trajectory inland under sunny skies should allow readings to warm into
the mid 70s. On Tuesday, warm and moist southerly flow in advance of an approaching
cold front will result in widespread showers and thunderstorm development during the
day. While a little short on wind strength both at the surface and the jet-stream level
Tuesday, the trajectory of flow is such that strong storms could develop.
COLDER AIR BY NEXT WEEKEND
Temperatures are expected to hit 70 degrees again Thursday, ahead of a low-pressure
system that should bring significant rains Friday. As the low-pressure system and
associated cold front moves east Friday night, strong northwesterly flow should bring a
surge of cold Canadian air over northern Illinois Saturday and Sunday.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
