Among the 12th Warmest on record…

The three-month season that began on June 1 ^st ends at midnight Saturday night and currently ranks among the warmest 12% on record dating back to 1871, averaging nearly 1.5 degrees above the most recent 30-year normal.

It was another day of searing heat broke records to the east/southeast of Chicago Thursday…

Thursday high temperatures across the U.S.

How far from normal??

Thursday’s record highs

In Chicago, temperatures again flirted with or exceeded 90° Thursday afternoon away from Lake Michigan, while a lake breeze kept it cooler for areas in close proximity to Lake Michigan.

Warmest inland highs

“Cooler by the lake” highs

Chicago Almanac

It’s been a warm stretch the past week, not only locally in Chicago, but across the Midwest

Average temperatures (figures the daytime high and daytime low)

How far from normal?

Chicago high temperatures the past week and how far from normal?

Pattern change over the coming weekend to bring cooler, more comfortable air

Upper-level steering winds to shift northwest, and the intense dome of heat will “retrograde” or back up over the Western U.S.

Thursday upper-level pattern.

Labor Day upper-level pattern forecast.

Friday begins a multi-day cooling stretch in which each day’s high temperature is lower than the previous day.

Forecast highs: How Far From Normal?

Climatological Autumn, the period September 1 through November 30, is likely to open with an overall cooler than normal temperature trend.

6–10-day temperature outlook

8–14-day temperature outlook

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