Autumn begins at 10:44 a.m. Monday, but the change of seasons will go largely
unnoticed as the city basks in a summery week highlighted by an abundance of sun
and warmth. Temperatures should approach 80 degrees on several days, especially
inland. Such readings are nearly 10 degrees above the steadily declining seasonal
normals (currently in the lower 70s).
The welcome dry-out after last weekend's deluge is expected to continue. This will
allow the levels of streams and rivers to continue to fall. Isolated thunderstorms could
pop up, with afternoon heating mainly west and south of Chicago on Sunday. A few
more thunderstorms could develop midweek before a cold front, but coverage should
be spotty and rainfall totals light.
AFTER LULL IN STORMINESS, TROPICS SHOWING NEW SIGNS OF LIFE
The Atlantic Basin has been quiet after a tumultuous period, where storms Gustav,
Hanna, Ike and Josephine developed in rapid succession. Now a tropical wave in the
northeast Caribbean shows potential for developing into Tropical Storm Kyle. The
system is bringing gusty rains to that region.
--By Steve Kahn, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
