East winds off Lake Michigan had temperatures on a downward trajectory Tuesday afternoon. Instead of warming, readings slipped nine degrees at O'Hare International Airport over 5 hours---falling slowly from 77 degrees at noon to 68 by 5 p.m. An incoming overcast and a few sprinkles combined with the air flow off the cool lake water, which still hovers in the 60s, reversed the typical surge in temperatures that occurs through mid and late afternoon. The resulting May-level temperatures spill into a second day Wednesday with lakeshore readings unlikely to escape the 60s because of extensive cloudiness expected to limit any warming sun. Cool winds off the lake have a stabilizing effect on the atmosphere, slowing the upward motion of air that might otherwise produce a few thunderstorms. This will deflect the day's southeastbound thunderstorms well west and south of Chicago, leaving sprinkles that could build to a few showers. The dominance of cooler than normal temperatures has produced Chicago's coolest July in 25 years.
Wildfires in Alaska
Visibilities from Prince William Sound into Alaska's interior have been limited in recent days as smoke from 64 active wildfires burning in the state settled over the region. In the state's Interior, Fairbanks---where temperatures reached the 80s Tuesday---reported visibilities slashed to just 5 and six miles. McGrath, Alaska recorded an 88-degree high.
Wildfires in Alaska
Visibilities from Prince William Sound into Alaska's interior have been limited in recent days as smoke from 64 active wildfires burning in the state settled over the region. In the state's Interior, Fairbanks---where temperatures reached the 80s Tuesday---reported visibilities slashed to just 5 and six miles. McGrath, Alaska recorded an 88-degree high.
