Despite Monday’s cold front, Chicago-area temperatures still managed to rise to the mid-60s as sunshine emerged. Dry air heats and cools faster than moist air. Gusty northwest winds on Monday swept dry air into the area, and by late afternoon, dew points had dropped to the upper 20s. Dew point is a measure of how much water vapor is present in the air. Higher dew points mean more moisture. Wind flow through midweek is expected to have an easterly component, keeping area dew points low. As a result, temps are expected to respond efficiently to strengthening April sunshine. Though nighttime readings will be chilly, highs are likely to stay in the 60s, with 70s possible by Friday. Dr. Bryan Schultz reminds us that mid-April sunshine is already capable of causing sunburns. So don’t forget the sunscreen.
