Dear Tom,
It seems that in summer a lot of thunderstorms are forecast that never occur. Is it harder to predict rain in the summer than in other times of the year?
Heidi, Arlington Heights
Dear Heidi,
Summer forecasting is not harder, but most of Chicago’s summertime precipitation comes as a result of thunderstorms. Convective precipitation by nature often covers just a smattering of a metropolitan area producing a hit-or-miss type rainfall pattern. While some areas may be getting doused with several inches of rain, nearby locations can be sunny and dry, causing residents there to consider the day’s forecast of thunderstorms to be a “bust.” Compare this typical summer scenario to weather patterns in other times of the year when strong low pressure systems frequently bring widespread rain or snow to 100 percent of the area.
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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.
