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Chicago sets new record for high temperature on April 13
Chicago has set a new record high temperature for the date of April 13.
CHICAGO - Chicago has set a new record high temperature for the date of April 13.
On Thursday, a temperature of 83 degrees was recorded at O'Hare International Airport. The previous record high temperature was 82 degrees set in 1887 and tied in 1941.
Wednesday, when the high was 82 degrees, was the first day this year that reached the 80s in Chicago. However, mid-April isn’t an unusual time to break that threshold.
The warm weather is mostly caused by a large ridge in the North American jet stream enveloping the eastern two-thirds of the country, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ricky Castro.
Additionally, a slow-moving storm system above Mississippi is blocking off moisture from entering the Chicago area.
"The other factor that plays a role is the fact that it’s been dry," Castro said. "Yes, we’re starting to green up, but without leaves on the trees yet, these drier air masses are more conducive to being even warmer."
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Chicago weekend cold front will drop temps in a big way
Emily Wahls has your Chicago weather update!
Castro said this wave of warm weather will probably have no bearing on how the summer months will fare, but he noted the Climate Prediction Center’s outlook on the Chicago summer that calls for "slightly elevated probabilities of above-normal temperatures" and precipitation.
Thursday night will be clear with lows in the mid 50s. Skies will become partly cloudy on Friday afternoon with highs around 80 for most. However, lakefront locations could drop into the 50s and 60s in the afternoon thanks to a southeast breeze.
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Most of Saturday looks mainly dry, and then showers and storms are possible in the evening and overnight as a cold front moves in.
Since the cold front will be arriving later than originally thought, temperatures look to stay warmer for longer on Sunday. Plan for highs in the low to mid 60s in the morning and midday hours, and then we will see temps slip into the 40s and 50s by late afternoon and early evening.
Scattered showers are possible on Sunday and Monday.
Highs on Monday will only be in the upper 40s.
Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.