The Chicago area is getting a bit dry, something that doesn't take long to happen this
time of year. Strong summer sunlight encourages the evaporation of the equivalent of
1.20 to 1.40 inches of moisture a week from plants and topsoils. This makes it
essential that rains fall regularly.
But, the big rains of late spring and early summer have exited. The last big rain to fall in
the immediate Chicago area occurred 10 days ago when 1.61 inches fell at O'Hare
Airport and 1.05 inches at Midway Airport. Though scattered thunderstorms may
produce isolated downpours Tuesday, coverage is likely to be limited.
The Southern Plains are being scorched by 105- to 110-degree temperatures. The high
at Wichita Falls, Texas, hit 110 degrees Monday while Dallas tied its record high of 105
degrees.
727 DAYS SINCE LAST 95-DEGREE-PLUS
It's been 727 days since Chicago's last 95-degree-plus reading, a steamy high of 97 on
Aug. 2, 2006. That long stretch could end this weekend if readings reach the mid-90s.
SOME POSITIVE BENEFITS OF DOLLY
Though Hurricane Dolly brought flooding and devastation to South Texas, it also
dumped a welcome 5 inches of rain on some Texas drought areas.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
