Autumn's chill is in the air. Not since back-to-back daytime 50s occurred here nearly
five months ago on May 22 and 23 -- 59-degrees and 57-degrees respectively -- has
cooler air dominated Chicago's weather scene. Temperatures within a mile of the earth's
surface are so cool, they are to encourage north to northeast winds, predicted to blow
the length of Lake Michigan into the area to tap some lake moisture. It's a development
which could yield some lake-effect sprinkles Thursday night into Friday. Cooling aloft
and an upper disturbance predicted to pass Friday afternoon and night could ignite a
few light showers elsewhere across the metro area.
Six states -- from Minnesota across Iowa, Missouri and eastern Nebraska -- were
under frost and freeze advisories overnight. Breaks in the clouds and lighter winds may
permit 30-degree temperatures and patchy frost in Chicago's far western suburbs.
A low of 3 degrees below zero in snow-covered Fairbanks, Alaska, early Tuesday
marked interior Alaska's earliest sub-zero low since 1988.
OMAR THE STRONGEST LATE SEASON HURRICANE TO HIT THE VIRGIN
ISLANDS IN A DECADE
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
