Dear Tom,
We expect it to be hot in the summer, but has Chicago ever had a freeze in that season?
Paul Sarewich, Chicago
Dear Paul,
Chicago’s weather sometimes behaves in ways very uncharacteristic of the season, but, based on 135 years of temperatures dating from 1871, the city has never experienced a freeze (32 (degrees) or lower) in meteorological summer (June, July, August).
Freezes have occurred as late in the spring as May 25 (32 (degrees) on May 25, 1992) and as early in the autumn as Sept. 22 (32 (degrees) on Sept. 22, 1995)–both readings observed at O’Hare Airport, Chicago’s official weather observation site since 1980.
O’Hare’s thermometers are located in a low, shrubby area at the far west end of the airport in a location, away from the runways, that is actually in DuPage County. Chilly air drains in there on clear, calm nights.
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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.
