You don't want to go jump in the lake, but if you did, it'd be warmer than the air in Chicago Thursday.
As of 10 a.m., the water at Lake Michigan's shore in Chicago sat at 65 degrees. At the water intake crib, it was 63 degrees.
At the same time, the air in Lincoln Park was just 55 degrees. And it was only forecast to rise as high as 63 degrees.
Those air temperatures are far below-normal for the area, which typically sees around 81 degrees at this time of year.
But despite the warmer lake water, a Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday along the lakefront.
The alert warns of "life threatening waves and currents." Strong rip currents and structural currents are expected along with wave heights as high as 6 feet.
The first official day of summer is just days away, but it has felt a bit more like early spring in the Chicago area.
Local
Winds off the lake will continue to suppress temperatures until Friday, when the first official day of summer will dawn with warmer, albeit still below normal, high temperatures in the mid-70s.
Unfortunately for Chicagoans, there won’t be much opportunity to enjoy that weather, as severe storms are possible on Friday evening.
The wet weather will stick around for the weekend, but temperatures will continue to rise, jumping back into the 80s by Saturday and the mid-to-high 80s on Sunday afternoon.
The temperatures will cool off just a bit going into the new week, but rain remains in the forecast as the Chicago area faces the prospect of yet another bout of abnormally wet weather in coming days.
