Another heavy dose of heat & humidity........

As we approach the "hottest time" of the year across the U.S., another burst of extreme heat will anchor itself across the Midwest with high temperatures once again pushing the upper 90s to 100 degrees.  Heat index values will easily reach the 105-110 degree mark.  For those of you who are begging for rain, we have another serious stat to include.  The drought conditions continue to get worse with another 10-15 days of minimal precipitation expected.  Take a look at the image below.......this map shows how much precipitaiton is needed across different parts of the country just to return to the AVERAGE value. 

 

Eric Szos
Chief Meteorologist

Record Breaking Heat.....

Our previous posts have discussed the current drought status and how we continue to drive down a road that seems to be endless.  Much of the Great Lakes region would need anywhere from 6-10" of precipitation just to get back to "average" values.  The main cause for this oppressive heat and lack of rainfall is due to a jet stream that won't budge across southern Canada.  The majority of low pressure systems are remaining well to the north across the Dakotas and Minnesota.  The Duluth floods back in June were caused by the position of this current flow.     

There does appear to be some relief about 10-15 days out, but typically, computer data has a way of over analyzing precipitation amounts in drought conditions. 

From July 2nd through July 7th, an impressive heat dome set up across much of the Midwest as a strong high pressure system and southwest winds brought extreme heat and humidity into northern IL and IN.  Record high temperatures were seen across several towns/cities across the Central United States.  During this week long stretch, temperatures ranged from 95-105 degrees, and heat index values approached a very uncomfortable 110-115 degrees.  The hottest days were from Wednesday July 4th through Friday July 6th. 

Chicago Record Highs Broken & Tied

·         A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 102 DEGREES WAS TIED AT CHICAGO-OHARE

             IL ON JULY 4TH. THIS TIED THE OLD RECORD OF 102 SET IN 1911.

·         A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 103 DEGREES WAS SET AT CHICAGO-OHARE
IL ON JULY 5TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 102 SET IN 1911.

·         A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 103 DEGREES WAS SET AT CHICAGO-OHARE
IL ON JULY 6TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 99 SET IN 1988

 

July 4th High Temps

 July 5th High Temps

July 6th High Temps

**Pictures Courtesy of the NWS Romeoville**

 

 Eric Szos
Chief Meteorologist