Dear Tom,
We are all anxious for spring to arrive. What has been the latest arrival of the city’s first 70-degree day?
Bill Ooms, Alsip
Dear Bill,
It certainly has been cold and snowy in Chicago this spring. As we pass the average March 24 date of the city’s first 70 we have yet to record a high temperature in the 60s.
Back in 1874, the city did not record its first 70 until May 7, and in 1901 not until April 28. Those dates mark the two latest occurrences of Chicago’s first 70. But in those years, readings were taken downtown, close to chilly Lake Michigan.
Checking Midway Airport values dating back to 1928, the latest first 70-degree-plus reading was on April 26, 1984. Apparently making up for lost time, the mercury peaked at a summerlike 82 degrees that day.
Despite 1984’s late onset of warmth, that summer went on to produce a total of 23 days of 90 degrees or higher with the summer’s hottest day, a steamy 98 degrees, on July 10. ———-
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