Until Wednesday afternoon's 82-degree high at O'Hare and 83-degree high at Midway,
September had been no bargain for the warm-weather enthusiasts among us. It was
only the third time this month the mercury has reached or exceeded 80 degrees -- the
fewest in a September here since the two recorded in 1993. In 80 years of weather
observations at Midway Airport, September's opening 18 days have hosted eight 80s.
The lack of warm days has occurred with the month averaging 2.5 degrees below the
long-term average -- cool enough to rank among the chilliest 25 percent of
Septembers on the books over the past 138 years at the city's official observation sites.
Wednesday's warmest highs included an unofficial 86 degrees at the WeatherBug
temperature sensor at Orland Park and 85 degrees at Itasca. A wind shift to the
northeast that swept into the area between 3 and 5 p.m. sent temperatures tumbling
from the 80s to the 60s. Warmer weather returns Friday and Saturday.
83 MINUTES OF DAILY SUNLIGHT DISAPPEARS OVER THE NEXT 30
DAYS
Chicago's daily dose of sun has dropped by nearly three hours since days began
shortening June 20. Another 83 minutes vanishes in the next month.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
