Dear Tom,
Wasn’t the period from Aug. 17 to 24, 1947, a very hot one? Didn’t the highs reach at least 95 every day?
— Brian Beecher, Villa Park
Dear Brian,
August 1947 stands out as the city’s hottest August on record, and the Aug. 17-24 period certainly helped it gain its lofty status.
The high temperatures did not quite reach 95 every day (Aug. 21-22 topped out at 94) but the other six days recorded highs of at least 97 degrees. The final day, Aug. 24, was the hottest of all with the mercury peaking at 100.
Not only were the days hot, the nights were warm and muggy. With the exception of a morning low of 68 degrees on Aug. 17, overnight lows never dropped below 75 degrees.
Four record highs still remain from that period: 98 degrees on the 18th and 20th, 97 on the 23rd and 100 on the 24th.
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Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or: asktomwhy@wgntv.com
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