Based on preliminary reports, Geneseo and Bentley Illinois reached 101°F yesterday. Another nine places reached 100°F. They include Illinois City, Moline, Mt. Carroll, Rockford, Prairie City, Normal, Rantoul, Streator, and Urbana. The Chicago Botanical Garden was close with 99°F.
Here is the list with the last time they saw 100°F:
- Geneseo: July 25, 2005
- Bentley: August 11, 2010
- Illinois City: July 24, 2005
- Moline: July 17, 2006
- Mt. Carroll: August 18, 1988
- Rockford: July 10, 1989
- Prairie City: July 26, 2005
- Normal: July 26, 2005
- Rantoul: July 22, 2002
- Streator: June 26, 2009
- Urbana: July 13,
20051995 (thanks Chris G.)
By the way, the last time Chicago at O’Hare reported 100°F was on July 24, 2005.
You notice all these sites were in central and northern Illinois instead of southern Illinois. Much of central and northern Illinois have been dry. As a result, more of the sun’s energy is devoted to warming up the surface and lower atmosphere and less for evaporation and transpiration in plants.