The late-season snowflakes, which threaten to flutter earthward in
above-freezing ground-level temperatures Tuesday, aren't as unusual in
Chicago as many here may think. The final flurries of the season came on
April 28 last year, and a review of Chicago's official snow records
dating back to 1885 reveals 66 of the past 124 seasons-53 percent of
them-have produced at least a trace of snow beyond April 21. Lengthening
days and strengthening spring sunlight have all but eliminated prospects
for anything resembling a significant snowfall here (6 inches or more).
But, the pool of unseasonably chilly air has settled south into the area
overnight and computer models have dropped subfreezing temperatures to
within 1,000 to 1,200 feet of the ground Tuesday. Snowflakes have been
known to fall through as much as 1,000 feet of above-freezing air
without completely melting-reasoning which backstops Tuesday morning's
prediction of snowflakes. With the ground warm, the threat of
accumulation is nil.
A huge late-week temperature surge, predicted to ride powerful south
winds into the area by Friday and Saturday, is to propel Friday's high
to 86 degrees-just a degree away from the record.
Gusty south to southwest winds-at times up to 40+ m.p.h. Friday-are
predicted to push late-week warmth right up to the lake, completely
overpowering lake winds that would otherwise cool the area-and setting
the state stage for the year's warmest weather to date.
Midway having its 2nd wettest year in 81 years
Wet weather has kept farmers from their fields to date this spring.
The 9.81 inches of precipitation on the books at Midway Airport since
March 1 is the site's second heaviest in 81 years of weather records.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
