Science & Nature
What Dog Days? July in Chicago Was Cooler, Wetter Than Normal
Chicagoans enjoying a pleasant summer day at Montrose Beach, July 2024. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
While parts of the U.S. experienced record-breaking heat this summer, July in Chicago was actually slightly cooler than normal.
A preliminary monthly report from the National Weather Service shows an average temperature of 75 degrees, or 0.4 degrees below normal (the average maximum temp was 83.8 and average minimum was 66.2). The highest temperature — 92 degrees — came on the final day of the month.
It was, as NASCAR can attest, rainier than typical. Nearly every day — 26 out of 31 — notched at least one-tenth of an inch of rain.
All those sprinkles and showers added up to a precipitation total of 5.89 inches, including the more than 3 inches that fell in a 24-hour period July 13-14.
Not surprisingly, given the near constant chance of rain, only five days were completely clear and sunny.
The big story was the powerful derecho event that blew through northern Illinois on July 15 and spawned a record number of tornadoes. A top wind speed of 75 miles per hour was recorded at O’Hare Airport, Chicago’s official weather station.
Note: All data referenced was recorded at Chicago’s official weather station at O’Hare Airport.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
