For the first seven days of this month sunshine has averaged 88%. To find a sunnier start to August, you would have to go back to 1931, when they had 89% after the first seven days. A cold front that passed through the area overnight will move to the SE, opening the door to another cool/dry Canadian-source high pressure air mass poised to move out of the Canadian prairies into the Midwest and eventually the Chicago area in the coming days, bringing the likelihood of abundant sunshine.

Dew points Thursday afternoon will fall out of the 60s into the 50s and then stay in the 50s through Friday with a gradual return into the lower 60s Saturday. There will be a slight chance of brief showers Saturday night and then humidity should return along with an increasing probability of showers and thunderstorms Sunday.