Chicago isn't alone with cooler than normal July temperatures. Monthly temperature deficits--a number of them quite impressive--are on the books for July at every major Midwest reporting station. A nationwide analysis of July temperatures from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center indicates nearly half the Lower 48--from the northern Rockies across the Midwest and up and down a wide section of the East Coast--have experienced sub-par temperatures. While Chicago's July 1-20 average temperature is running 5.4-degrees below the area's 138 year average, other July deficits include 6.5-degrees at Marquette, Mich., 6.1-degrees at Cincinnati, 5.7-degrees at Grand Rapid, Mich. and 3.7-degrees at Des Moines, Iowa.
The cool air has had consequences. In its weekly update on U.S. crops, the USDA reported only 26 percent of Illinois' corn crop has reached the pollination stage--the lowest level at this point in a season in 12 years. At the same time, estimates of air conditioning usage based on temperatures to date suggest levels 58 percent off the normal for July and 31 percent off typical summer levels.
Area residents have seen the second fewest 80 degree or higher July temperatures in 81 years---only nine of them! Weather records reveal it's hard to turn the tide on cool patterns once they've dominated this much of the summer season. Of 13 years with comparably cool temperatures through July 21, only 3--just 23 percent---have managed warmer than normal August temperatures.
The cool air has had consequences. In its weekly update on U.S. crops, the USDA reported only 26 percent of Illinois' corn crop has reached the pollination stage--the lowest level at this point in a season in 12 years. At the same time, estimates of air conditioning usage based on temperatures to date suggest levels 58 percent off the normal for July and 31 percent off typical summer levels.
Area residents have seen the second fewest 80 degree or higher July temperatures in 81 years---only nine of them! Weather records reveal it's hard to turn the tide on cool patterns once they've dominated this much of the summer season. Of 13 years with comparably cool temperatures through July 21, only 3--just 23 percent---have managed warmer than normal August temperatures.
