Chicago Storm

I believe we will see some changes regarding expectations for today. Let the HRRR catch up to reality over the next few runs, and we’ll likely see a clearer and different picture painted.

it's a magical thing.

The forum will compress this picture to hell, but here was the view out of ORD as the line approached…

Peak wind gust of 73MPH at MDW.

Peak wind gust of 61MPH here at ORD.

the reverse jinx worked.

Numerous 70-90MPH wind reports in NE Iowa, NW Illinois and SW Wisconsin.

we'll try again tomorrow...

The HRRR is top tier for tomorrow around here, projecting 3 rounds of back-back-back severe clusters locally.

Very tropical environment…

there's been a signal for about a week now, favoring next week for a ridge to poke up into the region. i wouldn't say it'll be a heat-wave, but it looks to be deep summer-like.

Spring 2026 finished as the 8th warmest spring on record in Chicago. Warmest Spring Temperature Rankings 1. 56.6° - 2012 2. 56.2° - 1977 3. 53.9° - 1921 4. 53.8° - 2024 5. 52.7° - 2010 5. 52.7° - 1991 5. 52.7° - 1955 8. 52.6° - 2026 9. 52.1° - 2021 10. 51.7° - 1946

Spring 2026 finished as the 8th warmest spring on record in Chicago. Warmest Spring Temperature Rankings 1. 56.6° - 2012 2. 56.2° - 1977 3. 53.9° - 1921 4. 53.8° - 2024 5. 52.7° - 2010 5. 52.7° - 1991 5. 52.7° - 1955 8. 52.6° - 2026 9. 52.1° - 2021 10. 51.7° - 1946

May 2026 finished as the 10th driest May on record in Chicago. Driest May Rankings 1. 0.30" - 1992 2. 0.58" - 1994 3. 0.67" - 1934 4. 0.71" - 2023 5. 0.78" - 1950 6. 0.80" - 1921 7. 0.84" - 1897 8. 0.93" - 1903 9. 1.00" - 1886 10. 1.17" - 2026

May 2026 finished as the 10th driest May on record in Chicago. Driest May Rankings 1. 0.30" - 1992 2. 0.58" - 1994 3. 0.67" - 1934 4. 0.71" - 2023 5. 0.78" - 1950 6. 0.80" - 1921 7. 0.84" - 1897 8. 0.93" - 1903 9. 1.00" - 1886 10. 1.17" - 2026

lol

no shot.

st pete beach > any trash beach chicago has to offer.

i’ll kick it off with a current view…

alek, the guy living in the concrete jungle…

lol

It's official... The NAM, 3km NAM, SREF, HREF and HiresW will all be discontinued on Aug 31st. The RRFS and REFS will be implemented on the same date. The HRRR and RAP will survive for now, but they're on borrowed time.

Just got back from guiding a storm chasing tour over the past week. Easily the worst stretch I've experienced since I started doing these back in 2021.

April 2026 finished as the 7th warmest April on record in Chicago. Warmest Aprils 1. 57.0° - 1955 2. 56.3° - 1915 3. 54.6° - 2010 3. 54.6° - 1977 5. 54.2° - 1921 6. 53.9° - 1942 7. 53.8° - 2026 8. 53.7° - 2017 9. 53.4° - 1960 9. 53.4° - 1896 April 2026 finished as the 7th wettest April on record in Chicago. Wettest Aprils 1. 8.68" - 2013 2. 8.33" - 1947 3. 7.84" - 1975 4. 7.73" - 1909 5. 7.69" - 1983 6. 7.51" - 1999 7. 7.19" - 2026 8. 7.07" - 1970 9. 6.72" - 1882 10. 6.43" - 2017