Extra 3 trillion gallons of water in Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan's water level has risen 8 inches above the same period a year ago. Once
just 6 to 12 inches above all-time lows, lake levels are up in response to the same
downpours that caused many area rivers to flood. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
which monitors the Great Lakes, predicts the higher levels are to hold through the
coming months -- though, barring new waves of heavy rains, the biggest rises have
probably already occurred. Interconnected Lakes Michigan and Huron are unlikely to
change significantly in the next month.
The corps reports other Great Lakes have experienced increased levels as well, with
Lake Superior 16 inches higher than a year ago. The rise in Lake Michigan means the
lake has added approximately 3.12 trillion gallons since a year ago.
Blistering heat continues to grip the southern Plains. The heat has anchored northwest
jet-stream winds over the area, which have slowed the eastward expansion of hot air in
recent months.
ABNORMALLY COOL ALASKAN SUMMER: ANCHORAGE'S 6TH-CHILLIEST SINCE 1917
So far this year, Anchorage has seen only seven days where the temperature
reached 65 degrees. Their coolest summer on record (1970) recorded a total of 16 such
days.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune