Tim: July 2009 Archives

That is the question everyone seems to be asking lately.  So far this year, there has only been 26 days with highs of 80 or warmer.  That ties 1942 for the 2nd fewest days of 80 degree or warmer highs.  We should normally have around 40 by now.  No 90 degree days yet this July either.  The warmest day this month occurred on July 6th when we hit 86.  Every July since 1942, when the official recording station for Chicago was moved inland from the lakefront, has seen a high of at least 89 degrees.

There is one good byproduct from this cool summer.  There is less of a threat of the West Nile virus.  The breed of mosquito that carries the virus likes their summers hotter and drier.

If it feels like this has been an unusually cool July so far, you are right.  This is the coolest July in 25 years, at least so far.  That will change though by Friday.  Watch for the return of some heat and humidity for the end of the week.  We could hit 90 in a few southern suburbs Friday.  Along with the return of heat and humidity comes an increased risk for severe weather.  The Storm Prediction Center has outlook northern Illinois & northwest Indiana for a risk of severe weather this Friday.

7.18" of rain fell during the month of June.  That makes June 2009 the 7th wettest on record.  June is typically the third wettest month of the year with July being the 4th wettest on average. 

There is little rain in the forecast for the next several days.  Some of the computer models have a system slipping just south of us early on July 4th.  There is a chance we could see a shower or thunderstorm in our far southern suburbs on Saturday but it appears most of us will stay dry.