By Meteorologist Tom Skilling
Temperatures failed to reach 60-degrees at the city's official O'Hare observation site Thursday, topping out at 58-degrees instead. It's the coolest reading which has occurred there since late May and a temperature which equals the normal high on Oct.28. But even more significantly, a review of weather records here indicates the reading was the chilliest to occur so early in the "meteorological" fall season in the 37 years since 1974.
Thursday isn't likely to be much warmer. Though readings are likely to creep into the low 60s at the area's warmer observation sites, the predicted O'Hare high of 57-degrees is close to the record low Sept. 15 maximum of 55-degrees set in 1993.
Southward plunging chill to break latest Southern Plains 100+ degree siege
The sprawling Canadian high pressure responsible for Chicago's chill continues plunging southward Thursday. It's cool air is to bring the latest round of sweltering triple-digit heat, which has gripped the drought-ravaged southern Plains in recent days, to unceremonious conclusion. In Dallas, Texas, where temperatures hit a record 107-degrees Tuesday and 97 Wednesday, Thursday is to top out at just 83---a 24-degree temperature pullback. Oklahoma City's early week 102 high crashes 40-degrees to 62 Thursday while Wichita Falls, Texas' 102-degree high Tuesday falls back to 72.
Lake-effect cloud/shower-set-up comes together starting in Indiana/Michigan then shifting west
As might be expected, the unseasonably chilly air pouring over Lake Michigan waters which average 69-degrees sets the stage for lake-effect cloud and possible shower development Thursday. Winds initially push the clouds into southwest Lower Michigan and Porter and La Porte Counties in Indiana. But as the day's winds veer north/northeast, the lake effect clouds and possible rains are likely to shift westward and could swipe the Illinois shoreline and south Chicago suburbs before the day is out.
Nice temperature rebound this weekend; humidities surge higher Sunday
Cool temperatures linger Friday. But warming predicted to get underway this weekend is to boost temperatures to 70-degrees Saturday and well into the 70s Sunday when rising humidities may produce scattered showers.
Five Midwest/Plains states alerted to the threat of widespread frost/freeze conditions as first significant snows whiten the Colorado Rockies
Frost and freeze advisories were issued for five state from the Dakotas east to northern Iowa and Wisconsin overnight night. But it was the season's first significant snowfall which attracted attention in the higher elevations of Colorado. Accumulations of 2 to 6 inches were predicted above the 9,000 ft.-level there with forecasters warning the heaviest totals were likely at the 12,000 ft. level.
Chill's not permanent here yet; warmer pattern indicated next week
Longer range forecasts are hinting the current chilly snap may be the last for a while. Models hint at warmer temperatures taking hold next week as jet stream winds take on a "zonal" (westerly) configuration and retreat north toward the Canadian border.
Forecasts at this range in time are subject to change. But, if true, warmer than normal temperatures may dominate much of the 1 to 2 week period.
Chicago weather record indicates a number of warm days have followed early season old punches
Warm weather enthusiasts shouldn't be put off by the current chill. An analysis of 23 years with highs of 62-degrees or less this early in the season indicates an average of fourteen 70s and six additional 80s have followed the chill from this date forward.
Temperatures failed to reach 60-degrees at the city's official O'Hare observation site Thursday, topping out at 58-degrees instead. It's the coolest reading which has occurred there since late May and a temperature which equals the normal high on Oct.28. But even more significantly, a review of weather records here indicates the reading was the chilliest to occur so early in the "meteorological" fall season in the 37 years since 1974.
Thursday isn't likely to be much warmer. Though readings are likely to creep into the low 60s at the area's warmer observation sites, the predicted O'Hare high of 57-degrees is close to the record low Sept. 15 maximum of 55-degrees set in 1993.
Southward plunging chill to break latest Southern Plains 100+ degree siege
The sprawling Canadian high pressure responsible for Chicago's chill continues plunging southward Thursday. It's cool air is to bring the latest round of sweltering triple-digit heat, which has gripped the drought-ravaged southern Plains in recent days, to unceremonious conclusion. In Dallas, Texas, where temperatures hit a record 107-degrees Tuesday and 97 Wednesday, Thursday is to top out at just 83---a 24-degree temperature pullback. Oklahoma City's early week 102 high crashes 40-degrees to 62 Thursday while Wichita Falls, Texas' 102-degree high Tuesday falls back to 72.
Lake-effect cloud/shower-set-up comes together starting in Indiana/Michigan then shifting west
As might be expected, the unseasonably chilly air pouring over Lake Michigan waters which average 69-degrees sets the stage for lake-effect cloud and possible shower development Thursday. Winds initially push the clouds into southwest Lower Michigan and Porter and La Porte Counties in Indiana. But as the day's winds veer north/northeast, the lake effect clouds and possible rains are likely to shift westward and could swipe the Illinois shoreline and south Chicago suburbs before the day is out.
Nice temperature rebound this weekend; humidities surge higher Sunday
Cool temperatures linger Friday. But warming predicted to get underway this weekend is to boost temperatures to 70-degrees Saturday and well into the 70s Sunday when rising humidities may produce scattered showers.
Five Midwest/Plains states alerted to the threat of widespread frost/freeze conditions as first significant snows whiten the Colorado Rockies
Frost and freeze advisories were issued for five state from the Dakotas east to northern Iowa and Wisconsin overnight night. But it was the season's first significant snowfall which attracted attention in the higher elevations of Colorado. Accumulations of 2 to 6 inches were predicted above the 9,000 ft.-level there with forecasters warning the heaviest totals were likely at the 12,000 ft. level.
Chill's not permanent here yet; warmer pattern indicated next week
Longer range forecasts are hinting the current chilly snap may be the last for a while. Models hint at warmer temperatures taking hold next week as jet stream winds take on a "zonal" (westerly) configuration and retreat north toward the Canadian border.
Forecasts at this range in time are subject to change. But, if true, warmer than normal temperatures may dominate much of the 1 to 2 week period.
Chicago weather record indicates a number of warm days have followed early season old punches
Warm weather enthusiasts shouldn't be put off by the current chill. An analysis of 23 years with highs of 62-degrees or less this early in the season indicates an average of fourteen 70s and six additional 80s have followed the chill from this date forward.
