Strings of 90-degree days -- like those predicted here for the remainder of the
workweek -- have occurred in 98 percent of the city's summers since 1928. But, the
first of them typically occurs on or about June 7. That makes the hot-weather period
predicted to dominate the area almost five weeks late. As many as four consecutive
90-degree highs are likely to occur here by the end of the week, something that has
occurred on 53 of the past 80 warm seasons -- or nearly two-thirds of the time.
The rain-cooled outflow of thunder- storms has reduced temperatures in each of this
year's warm spells to date. But warming aloft is to "cap" the atmosphere in coming
days, reducing prospects of rainfall. Though a steep vertical temperature drop this
afternoon may support a few thunderstorms in the area, most storm development in
coming days is to shift north into Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan near the jet
stream, which has migrated to its typical mid-summer location.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS CORN NEARING WEATHER SENSITIVE PERIOD
Illinois corn is nearing its pollinating stage. Regular rain and moderate temps become
important during this period.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
