Enjoy The Cooldown Chicago Will Be Back In A Sauna Next Week

Chicago will experience a brief cooldown with temperatures reaching 74 degrees Thursday and 80 degrees Friday, but humidity will return over the weekend. Meteorologist Bill Snyder reports that this summer has already recorded 18 days above 90 degrees, surpassing the average for a typical summer. The city has faced 29 out of the last 31 days with above-normal high temperatures, contributing to its fifth-warmest summer in 154 years. The increase in humidity is attributed to a shift in the Bermuda-Azores High pressure system and the impact of corn evapotranspiration. Snyder explained that mature corn crops in Illinois release approximately 35 billion gallons of water daily, significantly raising humidity levels.

After this two-day respite, the heat and humidity will return, creating conditions for the most humid air of the season. The historical perspective shows that in 2012, Chicago recorded 90 degrees 30 times by mid-July, making it the warmest summer on record. Residents are advised to take advantage of the cooler days while they last, as high humidity and heat will soon return.