Dear Tom,
I was born on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 1953, and my mother likes to remind me of how hot it was (no air conditioning) just before I was born. What caused the heat wave and when did it finally break?
–Beth Swanick
Dear Beth,
The days before your birth set new standards for late-season heat in Chicago. With the jet stream far to the north in Canada and high pressure anchored over the eastern United States, Chicago was locked in a record-breaking heat wave. The city recorded 11 consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher from Aug. 24 through Sept. 3 that included back-to-back highs of 101 on Sept. 1 and 2. The hot weather established six straight record highs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 3, and all remain in effect. The heat wave broke on Sept. 4 when a cold front passed, dropping the high temperature to pleasant 76 degrees.
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Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or: asktomwhy@wgntv.com
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