July 2011: WET & WARM

What started off as a dry July ended up being the wettest July on record!  Chicago recorded 11.15" of rain and had no problem passing the old record of 9.56" set in 1889.  July 2011 is also going down as the all time 7th wettest month in Chicago history.  To see a complete list of the rankings, click on this link http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=71316&source=0 

It was a warm month as well with highs averaging nearly 89 degrees.  This weekend, abundant sunshine will help dry out the saturated ground across Chicagoland.  Highs will surge near 90 on both weekend days with slight cooler highs along the lake.  Expect a E/SE wind at 5-10 mph.  Excessive heat advisories have been pushed back to the south this weekend, and while we will have warm/hot conditions, lower dew point temps will help it not feel so oppressive.  Next chances of rain will come Tuesday night into Wednesday with a slight chance of rain on Friday.  Highs will top in the low 90s Saturday through Wednesday with slightly cooler temps on Thursday and Friday in the mid 80s.  Have a great weekend everyone!  MARK BISHOP

The Heat, Humidity and the Duration

A prolonged heat wave is heading our way with highs into the 90s right into next weekend. What could make this spell of hot weather especially dangerous is that overnight lows will only dip into the mid 70s to around 80. This will not allow for non air-conditioned homes to cool which means that folks living in such condtions will be exposed to the intense heat 24 hours a day for several days.

 The most intense heat will likely occur from Wednesday through Saturday. Highs will reach the mid to upper 90s those four days with the heat index possibly topping 110°. An excessive heat warning is almost a sure thing by mid-week if not sooner. Make sure you check on any elderly folks you know especially those without air conditioning. It's been a long time since we have seen an extended hot spell of this magnitude. Try to reduce your physical exertion especially during the middle of the day and drink plenty of water. The heat wave will eventually break but it's going to be at least a week or two before we see cooler weather.

Hot Hot Hot!

That's right, the heat is starting to build in this weekend.  I looks like a long stretch of 90s on the way for at least the next seven days.  Remember to plan your days with minimum hours in the heat.  If you have to work outside, remember to take frequent breaks and most of all, stay hydrated.  Nothing can beat a cold glass of water!  With dew points and highs on the rise, heat index readings could top into the 100's, so use caution.  Here's the forecast.....Saturday (high/low) 85-90/72, Sunday-92/73, mostly sunny, Monday-94/77, mostly sunny, Tuesday-93/76, partly sunny with a slight chance of a shower, Wednesday-94/75, mostly sunny, Thursday-95/77, mostly sunny, Friday-95/78, mostly sunny.  Find a pool, run through a sprinkler....above all, stay cool and safe this week.  MARK BISHOP

First the Heat, then the Humidity

For the eighth time this year the mercury made it to 90° on Saturday and more 90° heat is possible Sunday and Monday. The big change will be the humidity. Dew Points, which is an absolute measure of moisture in the atmosphere, were mainly in the 50s on Saturday but will climb well into the 60s Sunday and possibly the lower 70s on Monday.

 The increase in humidity could push the heat index up to around 100 both Sunday and Monday afternoons, so take it easy if you plan on spending much time outside.

The higher humidity along with a couple of fronts could trigger some scattered thunderstorms Sunday night into Monday but not everyone will get wet. Tuesday is a tricky forecast as it looks like a good soaking rain will stay just to our southwest. In any case, cooler and drier weather will return by the middle of next week.

                                                                                    Phil

 

Warm weekend, pleasant week ahead

After highs in the mid to upper 80s on Friday, expect much of the same for your Saturday and even hotter for Sunday.  With high pressure the dominant weather feature today, enjoy widespread sunshine across Chicagoland.  Highs will surge back into the upper highs, maybe even a 90 degree high inland.  Sunday promises to be a mostly sunny day with highs in the low 90s.  Humidity values and dewpoints will be on the rise on Sunday so expect a "stickier" feeling.  As a result, heat index values will be in the mid to upper 90s.  With only a trace of rain recorded for July, the best chance of rain won't be until possibly late Sunday into Monday.  Here's the rest of the week's outlook.  Monday-(high/low) 89/75, partly sunny with a chance of showers.  Tuesday-82/70, mostly sunny.  Wednesday-80/63, mostly sunny.  Thursday-83/65, mostly sunny.  Friday-87/68, partly sunny with a chance of a shower.  Have a great weekend everyone!  MARK BISHOP 

Extended Holiday Weekend

Can you believe it's already July?  It's the extended July 4th holiday weekend and it looks like it's starting off as a hot and humid one!  After a wacky weather day on Friday, expect more widespread heat and mugginess on Saturday with highs in the 90s with heat index near 100.  As a cold front sweeps through the region Saturday afternoon, there are chances of showers and thunderstorms.  The front will cool us back down in the 80s on Sunday with abundant sunshine.  Your 4th of July holiday looks nice too with highs in the mid 80s under mostly sunny conditions.  Here's the rest of the week.  Tuesday-mostly sunny, high of 87/70(low).  Wednesday-chance of a shower, 88/68.  Thursday-partly cloudy, 87/67.  Friday-partly cloudy, 86/65.  Have a great holiday everyone!  MARK BISHOP