Surging readings, 30+ m.p.h. gusts set stage for storms
Springlike warmth bursts onto the atmospheric stage Thursday promising one of the year’s warmest temperatures. The warm air predicted here this afternoon originated over Arkansas and Texas 24 hours ago where 60s and 70s were common. Its arrival boosts prospects Chicago is in for one of 2006’s mildest readings yet. By evening, a swath of south winds will extend from the Gulf of Mexico north to Chicago—a feature meteorologists refer to as a low level jet stream. Wind gusts are to reach 30 m.p.h. at ground level, sending dewpoints—a measure of atmospheric moisture—soaring into the mid 50s. That’s a level of moisture known to help fuel the development of powerful thunderstorms.
Warm weather has been in short supply here to date. Only six years since 1970 have produced fewer 60s by now. Interestingly, Chicago’s high a year ago was 77°.
Tom Skilling