Chicago weather: Unseasonably cool temps put summer fun on hold

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago weather can be fickle on any given day. But unseasonably cool weather has settled in for the next few days, giving the area a taste of autumn in the middle of July.

Highs struggled to reach 70 late in the afternoon on Tuesday. Many Chicagoans dressed in layers and wore light jackets after temperatures dropped into the 50s overnight.

The average temperature for this time of year is 85 degrees, but the area will struggle to reach that temperature until at least the end of the week. Highs will reach the mid-to-upper 70s on Wednesday and Thursday. People exercising along North Avenue Beach welcomed the summer cool down.

"I'm a summer person, the hotter the better, this could be October," said Ann Rogers.

It certainly felt that way. Colder temperatures, gusty winds, it reminded some of the season we just recovered from.

"The wind was very fierce. I was riding my bike and I felt like I was fighting and struggling the entire time- it reminded me of the winds of this past winter," said Beth Argus.

North avenue beach was much quieter Tuesday, where a swim advisory was even issued late in the afternoon because of rough surf. Those that wanted to brave the cooler temperatures near the lake came prepared.

Yoga on the beach? Not without long pants! The not-so -summer like temperatures made for some unhappy people. Some even brought along jackets during their morning bike rides.

"I watched the forecast before we took off so I knew we need something," said Greg Hajduk.

In Skokie, the very popular aquatic center didn't have many swimmers in the pools as kids resorted to playing other games. Skokie closed their pool by noon, something that doesn't usually happen in the middle of July.

"It's very frustrating. Its' hard to give people what they want they want a summer time pool experience and we haven't had much of a summer," said Scott Runkle, Skokie Park District.

It was the same story in Elk Grove Village, where the hearty summer campers tried to make the most of their summer time off-- but for the district-- no sunshine and warmth means little business.

"Last year a third of our summer was impacted by the weather and we're trending towards that. Although we've had a very good June, it's just these last few weeks have been iffy," said Diane Malinowski, Elk Grove Village Park District.

The good news is that the cool air coming down from Canada is only expected to affect our area for a few days.