Thursday’s Chicago warmth tied 2024’s highest to date…

Summer-like temperatures—before storms hit Thursday afternoon

Far warmer than on this date a year ago when the high only reached 54 degrees! 

Lakeside cooling was prevalent along the shoreline where high temperatures were nearly 15 degrees cooler

Isolated severe thunderstorms developed in Thursday’s 80 degree warmth

Thursday’s large hail reports

PEAK WIND GUSTS

59 mph Logan Square Tree damage reported

55 mph West Chicago Private plane overturned at West Chicago Airport

54 mph Midway Airport 

In typical warm season fashion, thunderstorms were scattered, hitting some areas harder than others.

Among the heaviest area total through 6:30 p.m. Thursday:

Thursday’s warmth bathed the Midwest and East—nearly 200 million Lower 48 residents enjoyed 80+ temperatures

How much of Thursday highs were above normal?

April 2024 finished as the warmest on record according to ERA5 Reanalysis. This is the 11thconsecutive monthly record.

Source: Climatologist Dr. Brian Brettschneider

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.