Never in 135 years of weather observations has the period from May 20 through July 6 seen less rain in Chicago. The past 47 days–a period over which 5.72″ has fallen (on average) since 1871–hasn’t even managed an inch of rain. The 0.97″ on the books is just 17% of the long term average and the least rain to fall in that period since records began.
It’s little wonder the percent of the Illinois corn crop categorized as “poor” or “very poor” rose in just a week’s time from 28% to 37% according to the latest USDA report. (A year ago, only 4% of the state’s corn was listed in similar condition.)
Tropical Storm Cindy crashed into the Louisiana coast overnight near Grand Isle. The storm’s 70 m.p.h. sustained were near hurricane force (74+ m.p.h.) at the point of landfall. Gusts clocked at the 150 ft. level of an offshore oil rig Tuesday afternoon reached 99 m.p.h.
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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.
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
