Dear Tom,
What is the largest temperature difference ever recorded between readings at Midway and O’Hare airports in August?
Rick Burdsall, Palatine
Dear Rick,
Residents who routinely travel considerable distances across Chicagoland are no strangers to the large temperature variations that often occur in the metropolitan area. The area’s largest August temperature differentials, small compared to wintertime variations, are nighttime events that bring chilly readings to suburban areas while the densely urbanized city core remains mild.
A comparison of daily minimum temperatures recorded at the Midway and O’Hare observation sites from 1959-2003 reveals that the largest August temperature variation was 15 degrees on Aug. 5, 1988. The early-morning low at Midway was a mild 76(degrees) while O’Hare plunged to a chilly 61(degrees).
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
