Heat breaks record in Chicago, and 90-degree days expected until next weekend
Cooling does not last long, however, as most areas return to the 90s Friday and Saturday.
Watch CBS News
Meteorologist David Yeomans joined the First Alert Weather team in 2024. You can see him on CBS News Chicago weekdays at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and reporting on the Climate Watch team.
David has been fascinated by the weather for as long as he can remember, becoming a National Weather Service-registered storm spotter at age 9. He went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in meteorology from the University of Miami. David holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society.
David studied under world-renowned climate change expert Dr. Brian Soden, publishing undergraduate research on the relationship between water vapor in the upper atmosphere and global warming. His graduate studies focused on hurricane rapid intensification and the role of mid-tropospheric humidity. He took a flight aboard the NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft as a Guest Scientist.
Prior to working at CBS, David was Chief Meteorologist at the NBC affiliate in Austin, TX, where he worked for 12 years.
David has been awarded four Emmy Awards, including for an investigation on climate change affecting Texas' water supply and for an educational weather series. He was named Best Weather Anchor by the Texas Association of Broadcasters. David appeared on the History Channel's "I Was There" series and GQ's "The Breakdown" as a weather expert, and was a TEDx speaker on climate change.
Cooling does not last long, however, as most areas return to the 90s Friday and Saturday.
Temperatures will climb to the 90s for another muggy day before a cool down on Friday.
A Weather Alert is in effect late Thursday as a stronger storm and cold front enter the area, clashing with plentiful heat and humidity in place.
Along with the heat and humidity come periodic chances of thunderstorms.
Most rain appears to fall during the afternoon, but rain will not wash out many outdoor plans.
Wednesday's highs will be in the low 80s with gusty winds.
Rain is expected to persist overnight.
Scientists who monitor the Great Lakes say Lake Michigan is warming by about one degree Fahrenheit every 20 years.
Tuesday looks to be another unseasonably warm day, with near-record morning temperatures near 70 degrees and afternoon highs in the upper 80s.
The main threats from any severe storms will be damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
Those heading out of town on the roadways Friday may want to leave before lunchtime.
Wind gusts reached 60 to 70 mph in Hampshire, Illinois, in Kane County.
Some large branches blocked streets, and large limbs also fell on homes and cars.
Some areas may see wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, potentially downing tree limbs and causing localized power outages.
Temperatures climb to the 80s by Saturday with sunny skies.