Chicago's official high temperature Tuesday topped out at 80 degrees--only the ninth time readings have reached 80 or higher this month--as driving downpours drenched sections of northwest Illinois and eastern Iowa, with some areas reporting 3 inches or more of rain. Hardest hit was the area surrounding Dubuque and Galena. Totals included 3.10 inches at Asbury and Maquoketa, both in Iowa, and 2.24 inches in Dubuque. The totals equaled a full July's rainfall at many locations and began just after daybreak. Downpours increased, becoming heavy by late morning and through much of the afternoon. The big rains set up in moist, highly unstable air beneath diverging branches of stronger than usual late July jet stream.
The Chicago area is not alone in stunning lack of summer 90s.
Cooler than normal weather has been the rule this summer not only in Chicago, but in much of the eastern half of the nation. While Chicago has logged only about a third of its normal 90s to date, Boston and New York have both recorded 25 percent or less.
The cool summer has impacted Great Lakes water temperatures. Each lake is running 5 to 9 degrees below levels observed at this time a year ago. Chicago's water temperature near Navy Pier is 5 degrees off last year's 74-degree reading.
The Chicago area is not alone in stunning lack of summer 90s.
Cooler than normal weather has been the rule this summer not only in Chicago, but in much of the eastern half of the nation. While Chicago has logged only about a third of its normal 90s to date, Boston and New York have both recorded 25 percent or less.
The cool summer has impacted Great Lakes water temperatures. Each lake is running 5 to 9 degrees below levels observed at this time a year ago. Chicago's water temperature near Navy Pier is 5 degrees off last year's 74-degree reading.
