Dear Tom,
What is the highest minimum temperature ever recorded in Chicago during meteorological winter?
Bob Rowland, Naperville
Dear Bob,
Chicago’s all-time highest minimum temperature during the three-month meteorological winter period of December, January and February was a balmy 58(degrees) established nearly a quarter of a century ago on Dec. 2, 1982. That day, with a record high of 71(degrees) and a record high minimum of 58(degrees), produced a daily average temperature of 65(degrees)–making it the city’s warmest day on record during meteorological winter. That day is also a memorable one for reasons besides the unseasonable warmth. Waves of thunderstorms rolled through the city, bringing a total of 4.47″ of rain that produced widespread flooding. Northern areas were hardest hit with some of the worst flooding reported in Deerfield.
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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.)
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