Final answer:
The lowest daily temperatures typically occur shortly before sunrise, and the highest in the afternoon due to the accumulation of solar heat. In places like Chicago, it's important to consider average temperatures over time rather than extreme temperature records to understand daily patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lowest and highest air temperatures in a day typically occur due to the sun's position in the sky and the amount of sunlight the Earth's surface can absorb. The lowest temperatures usually happen shortly before sunrise because the Earth has been cooling throughout the night. Conversely, the highest temperatures occur not when the sun is at its peak, but in the afternoon, a few hours after noontime, when the Earth has had adequate time to warm up from the absorbed sunlight.
In locations such as Chicago, Illinois, where weather patterns can range dramatically, it is important to look at the overall data trends rather than just extreme records to understand the typical daily temperature curve. For example, while Chicago has experienced a historical high of 105° in July 1995 and a record low of -27° in January 1958, typical temperatures will follow a more consistent daily pattern aligned with the sun's path and seasonal changes.