Dear Tom,
You recently mentioned that the summer of 1947 was cool, much like this summer, but didn’t it turn hot in August?
–A.J. Simmons
Dear A.J.,
It certainly did. The summer of 1947 was running cool with only six days of 90 degrees or higher on the books through the end of July. Every month since February had logged below- normal temperatures. August appeared to be following suit, opening on a chilly note with a record low of 52 and an afternoon high of only 78 on Aug. 1. However, the weather pattern changed dramatically and blistering heat swept into the city. August 1947 stands as the city’s hottest August on record with an average temperature of 80.2 degrees and the third-warmest month on record here. The month had 18 days with highs of 90 degrees or higher, including four days in the 100s.
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Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or: asktomwhy@wgntv.com
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