The cool air mass responsible for Chicago's first back-to-back 60s -- on Thursday and
Friday at Midway Airport -- in nearly 11 years during September's opening five days
dominates this weekend. While both Saturday and Sunday a week ago produced highs
of 90 degrees, peak readings Saturday and Sunday will average 20 degrees cooler.
Those are levels modestly below normal by early September standards. Weak
disturbances embedded in the jet stream will produce several periods in which showers
may flare.
Final rain tallies from Gustav's blustery remnants Thursday approached 3 inches. The
National Weather Service confirms damage in Wheatfield in northwest Indiana was
produced by winds that were part of an EF1 twister that hit the community around 5:30
p.m.
DANGEROUS IKE MAY THREATEN FLORIDA AND ENTER THE GULF OF MEXICO
While Tropical Storm Hanna rapidly spins up the Eastern Seaboard, all eyes are turning
to Hurricane Ike, currently heading toward the Bahamas.
Ike, a Category 3 hurricane packing top winds of 115 m.p.h. Friday night, is expected to
grow even stronger as it steadily churns westward toward Florida and the Gulf of
Mexico.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
