Dear Tom,
I've noticed that mild fall and spring days often experience large temperature drops
with rain changing to snow. What is Chicago's warmest day that has had measurable
snow?
Mike Velez
Dear Mike,
Chicago's weather has a reputation for rapid change and the passage of a strong cold
front is often the culprit. Climatologist Frank Wachowski notes at least 10 days since
1871 when the city has logged a temperature of 60 degrees or higher and had a
measurable snow. On April 22, 1910 the mercury peaked at a balmy 65 degrees then
crashed to 35 by midnight with 0.1 inch of snow. That little bit of snow was only the
beginning. Snow continued intermittently for the next four days with more than 6
inches falling through April 26. However, in true Chicago fashion, a rapid warm-up
followed and by April 29 the mercury soared to a summery 86 degrees.
