Chicago (CBS) – Temperatures reached record highs in Chicago on Tuesday – with many getting out and enjoying the weather in the city.
But unseasonal weather is an example of the unpredictable weather that experts say climate change will ensure everyone continues to see. It's a particularly strong example – with dangerous, strong storms coming in with a cold front that will drop the temperature from the mid to upper 70s to below freezing with single-digit wind chills in a matter of hours.
The Chicago Department of the Environment is closely monitoring temperatures after tracking them this summer.
Temperatures reached the 70s on Monday and Tuesday. As of 5 p.m., it was still 71 degrees in Chicago — but against the cold front, it was 6 degrees in Fargo, North Dakota, at the same time.
The expected high is just 29 for Wednesday, with wind chills in the teens or even single digits.
“This is a chaotic system,” said Dr. Rao Kottamarthi. Sciences Director of the Center for Climate Resilience and Decision Sciences at the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. “So you get the high temperatures and then the low temperatures.”
And two days Warm weather February may be fun for humans, but it will be Serious consequences For wildlife – including reptiles, amphibians, birds and bees.
So, what's happening in Chicago to address this chaotic weather linked to climate change? Keira Woods with the city Department of Environment had some answers Tuesday.
Molina: “As we continue to see the impact of climate change, we will continue to see more unpredictable and potentially more volatile weather. Your office is prioritizing addressing this across the city?”
the forest: “That's absolutely true. It's noteworthy that we're going to see these high temperatures as early as February, because we know that our bodies in Chicago are not prepared for some of these high temperatures. Looking at these trends is really important. It's also important to acknowledge that as “A precursor in some ways to what may be to come.”
He's behind the work the department is doing across the city now. CBS 2 followed their team and partners last summer as they tracked temperatures across the city to see how heat affected Chicago's 77 official community districts differently.
Currently, the administration is moving forward with this project to create a specialized heat index that will help come up with solutions for those areas that feel extreme temperatures – such as adding green spaces or ensuring that certain building materials are used.
“In the context of climate, it's important to recognize that the burdens that we feel because of our climate change — or some of the effects of that shift — are not felt in the same way in all geographic locations,” Woods said.
Although Tuesday's temperatures do not qualify as extreme heat, Woods said it is an example of the importance of the work the department is now doing — and plans to continue.
“The issue of climate change and climate awareness and response is a big one — and while that may be very overwhelming for some, I think it's a great opportunity to mobilize and create really powerful opportunities for policies, programs, services and educational opportunities,” Woods said.
CBS 2 also reached out to Illinois state climatologist Trent Ford, who said that while two June-like days in February may seem like a minor trend, they represent a big change:
“The National Weather Service will confirm the daily summary tomorrow morning, but if this is indeed the high temperature, it will be a new record temperature on February 26, and it will be the third highest temperature on record in February. The record was 75 degrees on February 27, 1976. From Tomorrow the temperature is expected to reach 74 degrees, so we could be close to the February record, and the forecast low temperature tonight is 53 degrees, and the highest night temperature ever in February is 54 degrees (from 1925) …So we can get close to that too.
“Chicago is still about 8-9 inches below normal in snowfall of the season so far. They've had 21″ at O'Hare so far, compared to 29-30″ usually by this time of the season.
“Very mild temperatures and lack of snowfall are very typical of a strong El Niño winter. Additionally, our long-term trends in winter are for warmer conditions in Chicago, driven by human-caused climate change. These two drivers have certainly contributed to that. This winter is almost certain to finish as in the top 10 warmest on record in Chicago, and it could end up being in the top 3-5 warmest.
“As I mentioned, temperatures will drop early Wednesday morning after a strong cold front. Wednesday's high temperature may be 20 degrees cooler than the nighttime low temperature tonight. The cold air will persist through the end of the week. But we will be back in the 60s in End of this week.”
“For your last question: What may seem like a relatively small trend in warm winter days represents a big change. Many of the effects of warmer winters are cumulative, meaning that each unusually warm day we have increases the likelihood of an effect. For example, the timing of a break depends on Dormancy perennials or trees depend on winter temperatures, so warmer days push us closer to an earlier dormancy break, which can increase the risk of freezes. Likewise, early spring and late fall increase allergy season, which makes the air worse. Quality problems in the city.”
