66% of summer days and 14 of past 15 months above normal
Only a week ago, brutally hot temperatures punished the area with a fifth consecutive day of 90° readings. Chicago was in the grip of the season’s most oppressive and ultimately deadly heat wave. This week’s weather couldn’t be more different.
Tuesday’s 84° predicted high on the heels of an 86° Monday promises the restoration of of late summer “thermal sanity”—which arrived amid thundery cloudbursts late this past Wednesday—intact.
Overall, Summer 2006 temperatures—those which have occurred since June 1—are firmly in surplus territory. Two-thirds of days have been warmer than normal and August is on its way to becoming the 14th of the past 15 months to post a temperature surplus.
News that Chicago is well into its latest “warm” month follows Monday’s announcement from NOAA that July finished 2nd warmest of any on record in the U.S. since 1895.
-Tom Skilling