Chicago’s airports have recorded some of their hottest temperatures in recent memory during a heat wave this week, with Midway seeing historic triple-digit readings on consecutive days.
According to the National Weather Service, O’Hare International Airport recorded a high temperature of 98 degrees on Tuesday, and then followed it up with a high of 96 degrees on Wednesday.
The latter high temperature set a new record for June 15, breaking a record that had stood for nearly three decades. Previously the record high for the date was 95 degrees, with that mark being reached in 1952, 1954 and most recently in 1994.
Officials said that the high of 98 degrees reached Tuesday marked the earliest 98-plus reading the city has seen since all the way back in 1987, and was the highest temperature recorded at the airport since July 25, 2012.
Things were even warmer at Midway International Airport, with the mercury hitting 100 degrees on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday’s reading was the first time Midway has hit 100 degrees since 2012. Even more incredibly, the consecutive 100-degree days marked the earliest that the airport has hit that level on two straight days since all the way back in 1934.
Fortunately for Chicago residents, there is some relief in the forecast, as temperatures are expected to retreat to more seasonal levels on Friday and Saturday.
Local
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, Friday will be mostly sunny with highs in the low-to-mid-80s. Mostly sunny again and cooler, Saturday should see temperatures peak in the mid-70s to low 80s.
The sunshine will likely continue on Father's Day, along with warmer temperatures in the upper 80s, the latest forecast models show.
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However, by Monday, Chicago will again feel more like 100 degrees with humidity making a fierce return.
