Chicago's Weather Rollercoaster in 2024

2024 was a year of extremes for Chicago's weather. The city saw both scorching heat and bone-chilling cold, along with heavy rain and snow. Let's dive into the most memorable days. On August 27, the temperature soared to 99 degrees at O'Hare International Airport. This broke the record for the hottest August 27, previously set in 1973. The heat was so intense that train speeds were reduced. This heatwave also led to worries for vulnerable people like the homeless and elderly. In January, a polar vortex hit the city, making it the coldest in five years. Temperatures dropped to minus 10 degrees, with wind chills reaching minus 30 degrees. Despite this, one brave man continued his daily swim in Lake Michigan.

July 14 brought heavy rain, with a total of 1. 64 inches. But that wasn't the worst part. A severe thunderstorm and a rare derecho event caused damage across the region. President Biden even declared a disaster to help with recovery efforts. Even with predictions of a mild winter, January 9 saw 2. 8 inches of snow. This was due to a strong El Niño system. Some people took advantage of the snow and strong winds by surfing on Lake Michigan. These weather events show how Chicago's climate is changing. The city is getting warmer, with more extreme weather events.

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