Midwest bundles up as arctic air puts a chill into August

From staff and wire reports

People across the Midwest have been feeling like ice pops instead of eating them this August because of an arctic cold front from Canada.

Early August is usually one of the steamiest times of the year in the upper Midwest, but from Minnesota to Kentucky, temperatures have been falling to new lows.

The temperature in Paducah, Ky., should reach a record low of 48 degrees and the surrounding area will also be reaching near lows temperatures, said National Weather Service meteorologist David Humphrey.

"Usually we're in the mid to upper 80s for a high temperature and in the 60s for a low," Humphrey said.

Instead, the weather has been reaching highs in the mid 70s.

Cape Girardeau's weather forecast for today calls for a high of 75 degrees and a low of 50 degrees.

Humphrey said the unseasonably cool weather will remain this weekend but temperatures should be returning to near normal by the beginning of next week.

While some welcome the cool, refreshing breezes, others are putting on sweaters.

Marcia Wierenga, a visitor from Yardley, Pa., wasn't prepared for downtown Chicago's weather Thursday -- temperatures remained in the 50s well into the afternoon.

"I think it's kind of frigid," Wierenga said as she waited in line at the Chicago Art Institute next to a friend who sipped a frozen coffee drink. "I'm here on vacation. I packed T-shirts, shorts and tank tops, and I had to go shopping here because it's so ridiculously cold."

At the Heart of the Valley Golf Course in Ada, Minn., the grounds crew had been working in winter jackets this week.

"Some guy came in the other day asking, 'Is it November or August?' and I said, 'I think it might be November,"' clubhouse worker Emily Stene said.

In Chicago, temperatures reached a mere 59 degrees Thursday afternoon, 14 degrees below average for this time of year, National Weather Service meteorologist Charley Mott said.

Temperatures are expected to climb back into the low 80s in parts of the Midwest early next week, but even that is somewhat cool for this time of year.

Preston Dinwiddie, who poses as a human statue on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, said he prefers the cooler weather.

"It's better so I don't sweat," Dinwiddie said as he walked to work wearing a silver suit with silver makeup covering all his visible skin.

Springfield, Champaign and Effingham in central Illinois hit record lows, with temperatures in the mid- and upper 40s Thursday morning, weather service meteorologist Brad Churchill said.

In Minneapolis, Wednesday's high crept to 59 degrees, its lowest recorded high for the date.

Temperatures were pushing 70 degrees Thursday afternoon, but that still wasn't good enough for normal summer outdoor play.

Tom Witry of Minneapolis and his 3-year-old son, Ian, were throwing rocks on the beach at Lake Calhoun, not far from downtown. Witry said they'd normally be swimming.

"If it were 10 degrees warmer, he'd probably have his swimsuit on," Witry said.

Instead, Ian was wearing a turtleneck and red polar fleece sweat pants.

Staff writer Kathryn Alfisi contributed to this story