Wednesday: Temperatures reach the 80s for fifth time in last six days

NOTE: This article is now an almanac of Wednesday’s weather. We have published a new forecast story for Thursday.

Rinse and repeat: it was another gorgeous day across the Chicago area as the official high peaked at 83 degrees for a third consecutive day, well above the mid 70s that are typical for mid-September.  

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Far west and southern areas even reached the upper 80s.

2025 80 degree update 

Following a long hiatus in late August and the beginning of September, the 80s are beginning to pile up and approach the annual normal. Through Wednesday, officially at O’Hare there have been 77 days at or above 80-degrees; 82 such days at Midway. 

Wednesday sunshine

The late summer warmth was accompanied by 100% sunshine for a fourth consecutive day, making this the sunniest stretch in September since 2013.

Wednesday U.S. highs and departure from normal

Unseasonably warm to borderline hot weather in firm control across the nation’s mid-section with highs well into the 80s and even some 90s. Cool, unsettled weather was common on either side of the abnormal warmth across the western Plains and portions of the Mid-Atlantic.  

Wednesday pollen count

More miserable news for allergy sufferers. Ragweed count returned to the high level following a one-day break while mold and weeds also were also high, according to Loyola Medicine.