A little warmer this weekend

What a range of temperatures we had this past week as the high on Monday at 86-degrees and by Friday the high was only 58-degrees.  After coming off the past three days with highs in the upper 50s, today will include a moderate warm up with highs in the upper 60s to around 70.  Average highs for this time of the year are in the mid 70s, so we will remain below average again.  Best chances of rain this week will include slight chances on Sunday late afternoon into Monday early afternoon.  We do climb in to the 70s on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, but the end of the week highs slide back down into the mid to upper 60s.  Hopefully the Chicago Bears stayed hydrated this week because they play in New Orleans on Sunday where the temps at game time will be in the low to mid 80s with very sticky dew points in the low 70s.  If you have tickets for the game, be sure to pack shorts and a t-shirt to help you stay cool!  Have a great weekend everyone.  Thanks for checking in!  Mark Bishop

Cooling off early week

After a wide variety of sky conditions on Saturday, look for more sunshine in your day today.  Saturday’s official high reached 78 degrees and today highs should reach into the low 80s across the area.  The warmer weather will last through Monday with sunny skies and highs back into the low to mid 80s.  An impressive cold front approaches on Tuesday with much cooler weather for the rest of the week.  Tuesday highs will top in the low 70s with a chance of showers, but Wednesday through Friday highs will have a hard time climbing out of the 60s.  As next weekend approaches, Saturday looks mostly sunny with highs near 70.  Have a great day.  Mark Bishop

Not a bad looking weekend!

While we will still see a mix of clouds and sun today with a chance of a shower, it's not a bad looking weekend!  Remnants of tropical moisture in the northeast are still "backing" into our area today giving us a shot at a shower or sprinkles.  However, as the evening settles in our chances of rain diminish setting up Sunday as a mostly sunny and pleasant day.  Did I forget the Bears home opener is on Sunday?  Expect kickoff temps to be in the low to mid 70s with a light west breeze.  Monday warms up into the low 80s followed by chances of showers on Tuesday which will direct our weather to a downward trend of cooler temperatures on Wednesday through Friday.  Expect highs on those days in the low to mid 60s with plenty sunshine.  Have a great weekend and GO BEARS!  Mark Bishop

The last of the 90s???

The heat and humidity that we experienced the first three days of this month is being replaced by an unseasonably cool air mass that will produce the lowest temperatures we have seen in 2 1/2 months.

 The high on Thursday and Friday reached the lower 90s making it the first time we saw consecutive 90° days in September since 2008. Highs on Labor Day are not expected to make it out of the sixties making it one of the coolest Labor Day in Chicago history.

 The coolest Labor Day high temperature in Chicago history happened on September 2, 1974 when the mercury only reached 61°. This Labor Day we are only expecting highs in the mid 60s making it about the fifth coolest on record.

 There will be a modest warming trend this work week with highs returning to the lower to mid 70s for Tuesday through Friday. The average high is still in the upper 70s this time of year so overall we will see temperatures below normal this week.

                                                                           Phil

Muggy today, much cooler tomorrow

It looks like another muggy September day, but BIG changes are around the corner!  Expect highs ranging in the mid-80s to low-90s today, but as we speak, a cold front is heading toward home.  As the cold front slices through our warm and muggy air, expect showers and thunderstorms to occur, with some heavy downpours at times.  Behind the front, much cooler drier air will overspread the region giving us some very pleasant weather!  Highs by your labor day will only top near 70 for highs!  Here are the specifics for each day this week.  Saturday-(high/low) 90/73-mostly sunny with afternoon/evening showers likely. Sunday-73/63-mostly sunny.  Monday-69/55-mostly sunny.  Tuesday-72/56-sunny.  Wednesday-74/55-sunny.  Thursday-75/57.  Friday-75/58-mostly sunny. 

As you head out today, remember to grab your umbrella!  Have a great labor day weekend!    MARK BISHOP

Another nice one!

After a fantastic day on Saturday with a high of 81, Sunday promises to spectacular as well.  Expect sunny and pleasant conditions with highs around 77 degrees.  Winds will be coming from the N/NE at 5-15 mph.  The National Weather Service has issued a rip current statement as well, so if you're swimming in the lake today, be aware of this (see link) http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=72267&source=0

Of course our thoughts are along the east coast with the people affected by Hurricane Irene.  It's expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm today and New York City is expected to endure heavy rain, high storm surges,and flooding. 

For us, pleasant weather will continue with a late week warm up.  Here are the details of this week's forecast.  Monday: (high/low) 79/60-mostly sunny.  Tuesday: 80/61-mostly sunny, a slight chance of rain Tuesday into Wednesday.  Wednesday: 82/63-mostly sunny with a slight chance of rain.  Thursday: 87/66-mostly sunny.  Friday: 90/73-mostly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms.  Saturday: 84/70-Partly sunny with a chance of rain.  Have a wonderfull week!  MARK BISHOP

Nothing but sun

While the east coast is getting punched by hurricane Irene this weekend, we will see nothing but sun.  Chicagoland will enjoy highs in the upper 70s to low 80s the entire weekend.  Chances are though, you might have family and friends being affected by the hurricane this weekend.  The national weather service has a great site to follow the changing conditions of the hurricane.  Simply follow this link to the website of the national hurricane center to see more http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ .  As for our weather, here's a peek at my extended outlook.  Monday: (high/low) 79/58-mostly sunny, Tuesday: 81/63-mostly sunny, Wednesday: 82/65-mostly sunny, Thursday: 85/67-mostly sunny, Friday: 88/69-partly cloudy with a chance of showers.  Have a great weekend and be sure to enjoy the sunshine!  MARK BISHOP

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Greetings to all.  Many of you, like me, may have friends and family on the East Coast.  So, if you are looking to follow details on Hurricane Irene, the above two links will help you to keep track of the progress of this large and dangerous storm.  Our own local National Weather Service office has done a wonderful job in continuing to post information and links regarding this hurricane which will impact a big stretch of the nation.  Tracy

Air and Water Show weekend!

If you're planning to head out to the air and water show this weekend, I'll cut to the chase.  Sunday appears to be the nicer day this weekend.  After ending our week with highs in the mid to upper 80s, a cold front slices its way through Chicagoland today producing afternoon chances of showers and thunderstorms.  At this point it appears the best chances for thunderstorm development will be between the hours of 1:00-6:00 pm on Saturday.  While the day won't be a wash out, be aware (especially if you're going to the air and water show) that a shower or two could pop up.  By Sunday afternoon be sure to enjoy lower dew points (less sticky conditions) and temps in the mid to upper 70s.  Next week shapes up to be another nice week, with best rain chances Tuesday & Wednesday.  Here are the numbers and conditions for next week.  Monday: (high/low) 80/65, mostly sunny.  Tuesday: 81/67, partly to mostly sunny with a slight chance of a shower.  Wednesday: 84/68, Partly sunny with rain likely.  Thursday: 81/69, mostly sunny.  Friday: 80/65, sunny and pleasant.   Have a great weekend everyone!  MARK BISHOP

Still warm but not oppressive

While it has been pretty warm this month we haven't had to deal with the oppressive heat like we endured in July. The last time we hit 90° was back on August 2 and overall this month the average temperature is running just 1.1° above normal.

   Temperatures through the weekend will make it into the low to mid 80s but the problem could be thunderstorms. There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday morning and then again Saturday afternoon. While the storms could cause some problems for the Air & Water Show most of the weekend should be dry.

  Some of the medium range models push temperatures into the upper 80s by the middle of next week before it cools off a bit as we close in on the weekend of the 27th & 28th.

                                                                                       Phil