August’s start to follow July’s warm, dry mode
To no one’s surprise, July ended up to be warmer and drier than normal in Chicago. Though severe thunderstorms brought some much-needed rain to scattered localities, the overall drought worsened across the area during the month. The hot summer continued with seven 90° days at O’Hare and 10 at Midway during the month, highlighted by the region’s first 100º day in six years on July 24 when O’Hare soared to 102º and Midway to 104º.
August’s opening days promise a continuation of this hot, dry pattern with four consecutive days in the 90s expected through Thursday, along with little chance of significant rainfall.
Rain is falling in other parts of the nation. Up to 4 inches of rain flooded the streets of Sylvania in east-central Georgia Sunday, while vehicles were stranded in up to 3 feet of water in east-central North Carolina near Greenville after heavy thunderstorms passed through the area.
