Heat? What heat? :)

One of the best things about living in a more northern type climate is that even when we have stretches of amazing heat, it is unlikely we stay hot for longer than a few weeks. While Dallas tries to attain its 38th straight day above 100 and most of the south and southwest continue to suffer from an insanely hot summer, we will be getting a major break.

Nice northwest flow will be setting up and here is the pattern by Friday ..

500mb Heights/Speeds from COD (website on image) -- click for larger image

Here is our forecast ..

CHICAGO METROPOLITAN FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
931 AM CDT MON AUG 8 2011

.REST OF TODAY...PARTLY SUNNY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S...EXCEPT 
AROUND 80 NEAR THE LAKE. LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS BECOMING NORTHEAST 
AROUND 10 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. 
.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S. LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS. 
.TUESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH. 
.TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH. 
.WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. NORTH WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH. 
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. 
.THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. 
.THURSDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. 
.FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING PARTLY SUNNY.
A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 80S. 
.FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S. 
.SATURDAY...PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. 
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 60S.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. 

It is almost impossible not to enjoy this type of weather. Anything you want to do can be done! From boating to hiking to sports to picnics. I plan on hitting the 9 mile trail for plenty of biking or walking/running as well as

tons of time with my son outside. If I could have a perfect day, it would be a high of 79, a low of 59, with dewpoints in the upper 50's. Gorgeous!

Meanwhile, everything's bigger hotter in Texas 

Click for full sized image -- image taken from http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/