January 31: ORD

Today is January 31st. It's the 31st day of the year. 334 days remain. It's week 5 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 31 and the normal low is 15. The 30-year averages are 32 and 16.

On the warm side, in 1989 the high was the record high of 65 with a low of 40. A year earlier, in 1988, the high was 55 with a low of 36. Five years after that, in 1993, the high was 46 with a low of 31. Six years onward, in 1999, the high was 40 with a low of 32. A year before that, in 1998, the high was 41 with a low of 28. Other warm highs were 45 in 1990 and 44 in 1997. Other warm lows were 32 in 2003, 30 in 2002, 30 in 2006, 27 in 1992 and 27 in 2001. 19 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (8) and 30s (11). On the warmer side, five highs were 40s, one was in the 50s and one was in the 60s. On the colder side, three highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) and one was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1971 the high was 1 with a low of -4, a five degree spread and cold day. In 1967 the high was 35 with a low of 28, a seven degree spread. In 1963 the high was 14 with a low of -12, another cold day. In 1959 the high was 9 with a low of -3, yet another cold day.

More recently, there were small spreads of three degrees in 2003 (35/32) and four degrees in 2002 (34/30).

On the cold side, in 1996 the high was 6 with a low of -11. A decade and a year earlier, in 1985, the high was 16 with the record low of -12. Five years ago, in 2004, the high was 14 with a low of -6. A decade before that, in 1994, the high was 13 with a low of -5. Two years ago, in 2007, the high was 20 with a low of 3. Other cold lows were 2 in 1984 and 3 in 1980. The record coldest high of 1 was set in 1971. 22 of the last 30 lows have been: 10s (a.k.a. teens)(10), 20s (6) and 30s (6). Two lows were in the very cold negative 10s, two lows were in the negative single digits and three lows were in the single digits. One low was in the warmer 40s.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. Seven years ago, in 2002, 7.2 inches fell. This was the second day of a two day, 12 inch storm which was 77% of the month's total of 15.5 inches. Last year was the first day of a two day tally of 7.4 inches. Last year on January 31st, 3.9 inches fell.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:38 and sunrise is at 7:07. Sunset is at 17:07 and twilight ends at 17:37. There's a total of 10 hours of daylight today and 10 hours, 59 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:37 and sunrise is at 7:06. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 22% at midnight, will be 27% at noon and 32% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 9:15 and moonset is at 23:01. Moonrise is at 9:40 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 46 minutes and is 46 minutes longer than yesterday.

The Super Bowl is tomorrow. Groundhog Day is in a couple of days. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in one week, five days. Valentine's Day is in two weeks. The Daytona 500 is in two weeks, one day. President's Day is in two weeks, two days. -Bernie-

January 30: ORD

Today is January 30th. It's the 30th day of the year. 335 days remain. It's week 5 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 31 and the normal low is 15. The 30-year averages are 30 and 17.

On the warm side, in 1988 the high was the record high of 55 with the record warmest low of 46. A year later, in 1989, the high was 46 with a low of 35. A dozen years after that, in 2001, the high was 40 with a low of 32. Five years forward, in 2006, the high was 39 with a low of 32, a seven degree spread. Other warm highs were 45 in 1990 and 44 in 1999. Other warm lows were 31 in 1987, 30 five years later in 1992 and 29 in both 1998 and 2002. 21 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (9) and 30s (12). On the warmer side, four highs were 40s and one was in the 50s. On the colder side, two highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) and two were in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 14 with a low of -9, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 9 with a low of -1, another cold day. In 1975 the high was 32 with a low of 25, a seven degree spread. In 1974 the high was 55 with a low of 36, a bonus 50s day. In 1967 the high was 30 with a low of 25, a five degree spread. In 1966 the high was 4 with a low of -19, an extremely cold day. In 1965 the high was 2 with a low of -13, yet another extremely cold day. In 1963 the high was 10 with a low of -6, another cold day. In 1962 the high was 36 with a low of -1, a spread of 37 degrees and cold. In 1960 the high was 33 with a low of 28, a five degree spread.

More recently, there were small spreads of three degrees in 1987 (34/31), four degrees in 1998 (33/29), five degrees in 2002 (34/29) and seven degrees in both 1992 (37/30) and 2000 (31/24).

On the cold side, in 2004 the high was the record coldest high of 3 (ties 1951) with a low of -9. In 1996 the high was 7 with a low of -4. Last year (2008) the high was 12 with a low of -2. In 1986 the high was 22 with a low of 0. Another cold high was 18 degrees two years ago (2007). The record low of -15 was set in 1966. 26 of the last 30 lows have been: single digits (6), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(8), 20s (7) and 30s (5). Three lows were in the colder negative single digits and one was in the warmer 40s.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. Back in 1939 at the University of Chicago, 14.9 inches fell. Seven years ago, in 2002, 4.8 inches fell. This was the first day of a two day, 12 inch storm which was 77% of the month's total of 15.5 inches. Tomorrow is the conclusion of 2002's storm and also the beginning of an impressive four day, 10.5 inch stretch of snow last year.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:39 and sunrise is at 7:08. Sunset is at 17:05 and twilight ends at 17:35. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are 17:04/17:33. There's a total of 9 hours, 57 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 56 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:38 and sunrise is at 7:07. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 14% at midnight, will be 18% at noon and 22% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 8:53 and moonset is at 21:53. Moonrise is at 9:15 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 13 hours and is 46 minutes longer than yesterday.

The Super Bowl is in two days. Groundhog Day is in three days. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in one week, six days. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, one day. The Daytona 500 is in two weeks, two days. President's Day is in two weeks, three days. -Bernie-

January 29: ORD

Today is January 29th. It's the 29th day of the year. 336 days remain. It's week 5 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 15. The 30-year averages are 32 and 16.

On the warm side, three years ago in 2006 the high was 50 with a low of 39. In 1989 the high was 42 with a low of 37, a five degree spread. In 1998 the high was 41 with a low of 32. A decade earlier, in 1988, the high was 50 with a low of 22. Five years before that, in 1983, the high was 41 with a low of 30. In 2001 the high was 42 with a low of 29. Other warm highs were 48 last year and 45 in 1990. Other warm lows were 31 in 2002 and 27 a decade earlier in 1992. Last year was what I call a dual day. The high qualifies as one of the warmest (48 degrees) and the low is one of the coldest at 2 degrees, a huge 46 degree spread. A cold front moved in, causing a temperature crash. The record high of 59 was set in 1914 and record warmest low of 38 was set a decade later in 1924. 26 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (11), 30s (9) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, two highs were 50s. On the colder side, one high was in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) and one was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 13 with a low of -5, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 8 with a low of -2, another cold day. In 1968 the high was 51 with a low of 35, a bonus 50s day. In 1966 the high was -6 with a low of -20, an extremely cold day. In 1965 the high was -1 with a low of -11, yet another extremely cold day. In 1960 the high was 34 with a low of 30, a four degree spread. In 1959 the high was 36 with a low of 29, a seven degree spread.

More recently, there were small spreads of five degrees in 2002 (36/31) and six degrees in 1992 (33/27). The large spreads were 33 degrees in 1982 (34/1) and that unusual day last year when the high was 48 and then the crash to just 2 degrees, a 46 degree spread.

On the cold side, in 2004 the high was 4 with a low of -1, a five degree spread. In 1997 the high was 20 with a low of -6. In 1980 the high was 16 with a low of 0. Five years later, in 1985, the high was 22 with a low of 0. Other cold lows were 1 degree in 1982 and the low of 2 on that dual day last year. The record low of -16 and the record coldest high of -6 were set on the same day in 1966. 28 of the last 30 lows have been: single digits (8), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(7), 20s (8) and 30s (5). Two lows were in the colder negative single digits.

Today is not a major day in O'Hare's snow history! The next one is tomorrow when I'll be writing about two events.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:39 and sunrise is at 7:09. Sunset is at 17:04 and twilight ends at 17:34. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are each two minutes earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 55 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 55 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:39 and sunrise is at 7:08. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 8% at midnight, will be 11% at noon and 14% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 8:33 and moonset is at 20:47. Moonrise is at 8:53 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 14 minutes and is 44 minutes longer than yesterday.

The Super Bowl is in three days. Groundhog Day is in four days. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in two weeks. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, two days. The Daytona 500 is in two weeks, three days. President's Day is in two weeks, four days. -Bernie-

January 28: ORD

Today is January 28th. It's the 28th day of the year. 337 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 32 and 16.

On the warm side, three years ago in 2006 the high was 49 with a low of 36. In 1989 the high was 49 with a low of 34. In 2002 the high was 47 with a low of 34. Four years before, in 1998, the high was 40 with a low of 31. Another warm high was 44 last year. Other warm lows were 31 in 1999, 29 in 1979 and 27 in 1992. The record high of 60 was set in 1914 and record warmest low of 40 was set in 1968. 16 of the last 30 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, five highs were 40s. On the colder side, nine highs were: 20s (5), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(3), and single digits (1).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1977 the high was 20 with a low of -11, a 31 degree spread. In 1976 the high was 39 with a low of 3, a 36 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 34 with a low of 27, a seven degree spread. In 1970 the high was 55 with a low of 35, a bonus 50s day (at Midway). In 1968 the high was 45 with a low of 38, a seven degree spread. In 1966 the high was -4 with a low of -14, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 26 with a low of -6, a 32 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 8 with a low of -14, yet another cold day. In 1962 the high was 26 with a low of 20, a six degree spread. 1960 the high was 34 with a low of 29, a five degree spread.

More recently, there were small spreads of three degrees in both 1979 (32/29) and 1999 (34/31). The spread was six degrees in 1992 (33/27).

On the cold side, in 1997 the high was 9 with a low of -5. In 1980 the high was 11 with a low of 0. In 2004 the high was 11 with a low of 2. In 1986 the high was 18 with a low of 1. Other cold lows were 2 degrees in both 1985 and two decades later in 2005. The record low of -13 was set in 1977 and the record coldest high of -3 was set in 1966. 29 of the last 30 lows have been: single digits (9), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(6), 20s (9) and 30s (5). One low was in the colder negative single digits.

Today is not a major day in O'Hare's snow history! The next one is in two days when I'll be writing about two events.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:40 and sunrise is at 7:10. Sunset is at 17:03 and twilight ends at 17:33. Chicago's sunset/end of twilight times are 17:01/17:31. There's a total of 9 hours, 53 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 53 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:39 and sunrise is at 7:09. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 4% at midnight, will be 6% at noon and 8% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 8:12 and moonset is at 19:42. Moonrise is at 8:33 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 30 minutes and is 42 minutes longer than yesterday.

The Super Bowl is in four days. Groundhog Day is in five days. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in two weeks, one day. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, three days. The Daytona 500 is in two weeks, four days. President's Day is in two weeks, five days. -Bernie-

January 27: ORD

Today is January 27th. It's the 27th day of the year. 338 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 32 and 15.

On the warm side, in 2002 the high was 59 with a low of 38. Four years later, in 2006, the high was 51 with a low of 35. Seven years earlier, in 1999, the high was 49 with a low of 34. In 1990 the high was 50 with a low of 25. A year earlier, in 1989, the high was 48 with a low of 26. Other warm lows were 30 in 1998, 26 in 1979 and 26 in 1992. The record high of 62 was set in 1916 and record warmest low of 47 was set in 1944. 23 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (10) and 30s (13). On the warmer side, two highs were 40s and three highs were 50s. On the colder side, one high was in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) and one was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 10 with a low of 4, a six degree spread and cold. In 1971 the high was 8 with a low of -3, another cold day. In 1970 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread (at Midway). In 1963 the high was 6 with a low of -10, yet another cold day. In 1961 the high was 7 with a low of -5, another cold one. 1960 the high was 34 with a low of 32, a two degree spread.

More recently, there were small spreads of six degrees in 1998 (36/30) and seven degrees in 1992 (33/26).

On the cold side, in 1986 the high was 5 with a low of -6. In 2003 the high was 20 with a low of -7. Fifteen years earlier, in 1988, the high was also 20 with a low of -7. Eight years before that, in 1980, the high was 11 with a low of 3. The record low of -10 was set in 1955 and the record coldest high of -1 was set way back in 1895. 18 of the last 30 lows have been: 10s (a.k.a. teens)(11) and 20s (7). Eight lows were colder: three in the negative single digits and five in the single digits. Four lows were in the warmer 30s.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1967, 7.0 inches fell. This was the second day of a two day, 20.4 inch period of snow known as the Blizzard of '67. This paralyzed Chicago for a few days. Midway Airport reported 6.6 inches this day, part of a two day total of 23 inches. This comprised 80% of Midway's snow for the month.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:41 and sunrise is at 7:11. Sunset is at 17:02 and twilight ends at 17:32. Chicago's sunset/end of twilight times are 17:00/17:30. There's a total of 9 hours, 51 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 51 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:40 and sunrise is at 7:10. The moon reached new yesterday at 1:55 and is waxing crescent. Illumination was 1% at midnight, will be 2% at noon and 4% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 7:50 and moonset is at 18:38. Moonrise is at 8:12 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 48 minutes and is 40 minutes longer than yesterday. But since such a small percentage is visible, you probably won't be able to find it in the sky.

The Super Bowl is in five days. Groundhog Day is in six days. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in two weeks, two days. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, four days. The Daytona 500 is in two weeks, five days. President's Day is in two weeks, six days. -Bernie-

January 26: ORD

Today is January 26th. It's the 26th day of the year. 339 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 31 and 13.

On the warm side, in 2002 the high was 53 with a low of 34. In 1981 the high was 43 with a low of 35. Three years later, in 1984, the high was 41 with a low of 31. Five years after that, in 1989, the high was 41 with a low of 27. Other warm highs were 43 in 1996, 2006 and 2007. The record high of 62 was set in 1944 and record warmest low of 49 was set back in 1916. 26 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (11), 30s (8) and 40s (7). On the warmer side, one high was in the 50s. On the colder side, three highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1973 the high was 57 with a low of 29, a bonus 50s day. In 1972 the high was 8 with a low of 2, a six degree spread and cold day. In 1971 the high was 32 with a low of 2, a 30 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 37 with a low of 31, a six degree spread (at Midway). In 1967 the high was 30 with a low of 28, a two degree spread. 1967 was the first day of the Blizzard of '67 (see below).

More recently, there were small spreads in of four degrees in 2004 (24/20) and six degrees in 1994 (26/20).

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was 13 with a low of -13. Three years later, in 1985, the high was 20 with a low of -6. A year later, in 1986, the high was 21 with a low of -3. Two years later, in 1988, the high was 19 with a low of 0. Fifteen years later, in 2003, the high was 19 with a low of 1. In 1980 the high was 20 with a low of 1. In 1997 the high was 22 with a low of 0. Another cold low was 0 in 1979. The record low of -16 and record coldest high of -3 were set on the same day way back in 1897. 24 of the last 30 lows have been: single digits (10), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(7) and 20s (7). Three lows were colder: one low in the negative 10s (a.k.a. negative teens) and two lows in the negative single digits. Three lows were in the warmer 30s.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1967, 13.4 inches fell. This was the first day of a two day, 20.4 inch period of snow known as the Blizzard of '67. This paralyzed Chicago for a few days. Midway Airport reported 16.4 inches this day, part of a two day total of 23 inches. This comprised 80% of Midway's snow for the month.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:42 and sunrise is at 7:12. Sunset is at 17:00 and twilight ends at 17:30. Chicago's sunset/end of twilight is 16:59/17:29. There's a total of 9 hours, 48 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 48 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:41 and sunrise is at 7:11. The moon reached new today at 1:55. Illumination was 0% at midnight, will be 0% at noon and 1% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 7:25 and moonset is at 17:33. Moonrise is at 7:50 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 8 minutes.

The Super Bowl is in six days. Groundhog Day is in a week. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in two weeks, three days. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, five days. President's Day is in three weeks. -Bernie-

January 25: ORD

Today is January 25th. It's the 25th day of the year. 340 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 31 and 14.

On the warm side, in 1981 the high was 51 with a low of 37. Eight years later, in 1989, the high was 49 with a low of 37. In 2002 the high was 50 with a low of 27. Another warm high was 43 in 2005. Another warm low was 26 in 1994. The record high of 67 was set in 1950 and record warmest low of 45 was set back in 1916. 22 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (9) and 30s (13). On the warmer side, two highs were 40s and two were 50s. On the colder side, four highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1973 the high was 54 with a low of 31, a bonus 50s day. In 1972 the high was 9 with a low of 1, a cold day. In 1971 the high was 44 with a low of 10, a 34 degree spread. In 1967 the high was 51 with a low of 30, a bonus 50s day. In 1963 the high was 8 with a low of -9, another cold day. In 1959 the high was 26 with a low of 19, a seven degree spread.

More recently, there were no small spreads, unusual for any day. In 1988 the spread was 31 degrees as the high was 29 with a low of -2.

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was 10 with a low of -1. Last year the high was 20 with a low of -5. In 1991 the high was 16 with a low of -1. Four years earlier, in 1987, the high was 19 with a low of -1. Other cold lows were -2 in 1988, -1 in 1985 and 1 in 1997. Another cold high was 18 in 1979. The record low of -20 and record coldest high of -10 were set on the same day way back in 1897. Those temps were so cold, I hope that doesn't ever happen again! 17 of the last 30 lows have been: 10s (7) and 20s (10). 11 lows were colder: six lows in the negative single digits and five lows in the single digits. Two lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:43 and sunrise is at 7:13. Sunset is at 16:59 and twilight ends at 17:29. There's a total of 9 hours, 46 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 46 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:42 and sunrise is at 7:12. The moon is waning crescent and will reach new tomorrow at 1:55. Illumination was 1% at midnight, will be 0% at noon and 0% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 6:57 and moonset is at 16:29. Moonrise is at 7:25 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 32 minutes.

The Super Bowl is in a week. Groundhog Day is in eight days. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is in two weeks, four days. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, six days. President's Day is in three weeks, one day. -Bernie-

January 24: ORD

Today is January 24rd. It's the 24th day of the year. 341 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 30 and 17.

On the warm side, in 1981 the high was 53 with a low of 28. In 1990 the high was 45 with a low of 33. A year before, in 1989, the high was 43 with a low of 32. In 2002 the high was 40 with a low of 32. In 1984 the high was 39 with a low of 30. A decade later, in 1994, the high was 37 with a low of 32, a five degree spread. A dozen years later (and three years ago), in 2006, the high was 40 with a low of 29. Other warm lows were 31 in 1983, 31 in 1999, 27 in 1997 and 26 in 1986. The record high of 65 and record warmest low of 44 were set on the same day in 1967. 19 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (7) and 30s (12). On the warmer side, four highs were 40s and one was in the 50s. On the colder side, four highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) and two were single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1977 the high was 30 with a low of 27, a three degree spread. In 1976 the high was 34 with a low of 27, a seven degree spread. In 1972 the high was 43 with a low of 9, a 34 degree spread. In 1967 the high was 61 with a low of 39, a bonus 60s day. In 1966 the high was 11 with a low of -11, a cold day. In 1964 the high was 60 with a low of 25, a 35 degree spread and bonus 60s day. In 1963 the high was 4 with a low of -12, another cold day. In 1959 the high was 38 with a low of 6, a 32 degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of two degrees in 1983 (33/31), four degrees in 1999 (35/31), five degrees in 1985 (27/22), six degrees in 2007 (28/22) and seven degrees in 1998 (31/24).

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was 3 with a low of -3, a six degree spread. Five years later, in 1987, the high was 9 with a low of -5. Last year the high was 10 with a low of -4. In 2000 the high was 15 with a low of -3. In 1991 the high was 14 with a low of 2. A dozen years later, in 2003, the high was 16 with a low of 2. The record low of -15 was set way back in 1897 and record coldest high of -2 was set back in 1904. 16 of the last 30 lows have been: 20s (9) and 30s (7). 14 lows were colder: four lows in the negative single digits, five lows in the single digits and five lows in the 10s (a.k.a. teens).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:43 and sunrise is at 7:14. Sunset is at 16:58 and twilight ends at 17:28. There's a total of 9 hours, 44 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 45 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:43 and sunrise is at 7:13. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 4% at midnight, will be 2% at noon and 1% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 6:23 and moonset is at 15:26. Moonrise is at 6:57 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 3 minutes.

My brother is celebrating a birthday today. -Bernie-

January 23: ORD

Today is January 23rd. It's the 23rd day of the year. 342 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 32 and 18.

On the warm side, in 1989 the high was 50 with a low of 33. In 2002 the high was 48 with a low of 35. A dozen years earlier, in 1990, the high was 50 with a low of 28. In 1999 the high was 44 with a low of 33. In 1981 the high was 46 with a low of 27. A dozen years later, in 1993, the high was 45 with a low of 28. The next year, 1994, the high was 40 with a low of 33, a seven degree spread. Other warm lows were 32 in 1983 and 29 in 1996. The record high of 65 and record warmest low of 56 were set on the same day back in 1909, a century ago! 24 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (6), 30s (12) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, two highs were 50s. On the colder side, three highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) and one was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1974 the high was 35 with a low of 30, a five degree spread. in 1969 the high was 52 with a low of 19, a 33 degree spread and a bonus 50s day. In 1967 the high was 60 with a low of 45, a bonus 60s day. In 1965 the high was 34 with a low of 30, a four degree spread. In 1963 the high was -6 with a low of -19, a cold day. In 1959 the high was 6 with a low of -12, another cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of two degrees in 1983 (34/32), four degrees in 2007 (26/22), seven degrees in 1996 (36/29) seven degrees in 2006 (30/23) and a big 36 degree spread in 1982 (38/2).

On the cold side, in 1987 the high was 8 with a low of -4. In 2003 the high was 12 with a low of -4. Five years later (and a year ago) the high was 14 with a low of 5. In 1980 the high was 15 with a low of 4. Another cold low was 2 in 1982. The record low of -18 and record coldest high of -4 were both set in 1963. 28 of the last 30 lows have been: single digits (6), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(6), 20s (11) and 30s (5). On the colder side, two lows were in the negative single digits.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 2005, 0.2 inches fell. This was the fourth day of a four day, 12.7 inch period of snow. Along with the 9.8 inches that fell earlier on January 4-6, this comprised 22.5 inches or 81% of the month's total of 27.8 inches.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:44 and sunrise is at 7:14. Sunset is at 16:56 and twilight ends at 17:27. Chicago's sunset is a minute earlier and twilight ends two minutes earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 42 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 43 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:43 and sunrise is at 7:14. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 8% at midnight, will be 6% at noon and 4% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 5:42 and moonset is at 14:25. Moonrise is at 6:23 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 8 hours, 43 minutes.

My brother will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow. -Bernie-

January 22: ORD

Today is January 22nd. It's the 22nd day of the year. 343 days remain. It's week 4 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 34 and 19.

On the warm side, in 2002 the high was 55 with a low of 32. Three years earlier, in 1999, the high was 46 with a low of 38. A decade earlier, in 1989, the high was 50 with a low of 30. In 1996 the high was 43 with a low of 31. In 1990 the high was 42 with a low of 31. In 1981 the high was 47 with a low of 24. In 1992 the high was 41 with a low of 30. Five years later, in 1997, the high was 46 with a low of 25. In 1983 the high was 35 with a low of 32, a three degree spread. A decade later, in 1993, the high was 39 with a low of 28. Another warm low was 31 in 1998. The record high of 59 and record warmest low of 51 were set on the same day back in 1909, a century ago! 26 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (11), 30s (9) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, two highs were 50s. On the colder side, two highs were in the 10s (a.k.a. teens).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1974 the high was 36 with a low of 34, a two degree spread. In 1967 the high was 58 with a low of 36, a bonus 50s day. In 1964 the high was 55 with a low of 37, another bonus 50s day. In 1959 the high was 8 with a low of -5, a cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of two degrees in 1998 (33/31), four degrees in 1988 (29/25), six degrees in 1995 (22/16) and six degrees in 2007 (31/25).

On the cold side, in 2003 the high was 14 with a low of 3. Another cold low was -3 in 1991. The record low of -17 was set back in 1936 and the record coldest high of -4 was set way back in 1883. 29 of the last 30 lows have been: single digits (6), 10s (a.k.a. teens)(8), 20s (7) and 30s (8). On the colder side, one low was in the negative single digits.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 2005, 6.2 inches fell. This was the third day of a four day, 12.7 inch period of snow. Along with the 9.8 inches that fell earlier on January 4-6, this comprised 22.5 inches or 81% of the month's total of 27.8 inches.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:45 and sunrise is at 7:15. Sunset is at 16:55 and twilight ends at 17:26. Chicago's sunset is a minute earlier and twilight ends two minutes earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 40 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 41 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:44 and sunrise is at 7:14. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 14% at midnight, will be 11% at noon and 8% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 4:54 and moonset is at 13:29. Moonrise is at 5:42 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 8 hours, 35 minutes.

My brother will be celebrating a birthday in two days. -Bernie-

January 21: ORD

Today is January 21st. It's the 21st day of the year. 344 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 30 and 16.

On the warm side, in 1986 the high was 54 with a low of 30. In 1999 the high was 41 with a low of 32. Six years earlier, in 1993, the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread. Four years later, in 1997, the high was 45 with a low of 24. Other warm lows were 29 in 1998, 27 in 1983 and 26 in 2007. The record high of 62 was set back in 1906 and the record warmest low of 43 was set back in 1916. 21 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (8) and 30s (13). On the warmer side, three highs were 40s and one was in the 50s. On the colder side, four highs were in the 10s and one was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1976 the high was 26 with a low of 19, a seven degree spread. In 1974 the high was 37 with a low of 35, a two degree spread. In 1970 the high was 5 with a low of -11, a cold day (at Midway). In 1969 the high was 40 with a low of 36, a four degree spread. In 1967 the high was 50 with a low of 35, a bonus 50s day. In 1966 the high was 30 with a low of 25, a five degree spread. In 1964 the high was 50 with a low of 35, a bonus 50s day. In 1963 the high was 11 with a low of -17, another cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of three degrees in 1998 (32/29) and 2007 (29/26). The spreads were five degrees in 1995 (26/21), six degrees in 1988 (31/25), seven degrees in 1981 (32/25) and seven degrees in 2005 (24/17).

On the cold side, in 1984 the high was 6 with the record low of -22. In 2000 the high was 13 with a low of -3. In 1985 the high was 18 with a low of -6. In 1994 the high was 21 with a low of -5. Three years earlier, in 1991, the high was 17 with a low of 3. The record coldest high of -4 was set way back in 1883. 19 of the last 30 lows have been: 10s (7) and 20s (12). On the colder side, eight lows were: negative 20s (1), negative single digits (3) and single digits (4). Three lows were in the warmer 30s. There have been no lows in the negative 10s.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 2005, 4.8 inches fell. This was the second day of a four day, 12.7 inch period of snow. Along with the 9.8 inches that fell earlier on January 4-6, this comprised 22.5 inches or 81% of the month's total of 27.8 inches.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:45 and sunrise is at 7:16. Sunset is at 16:54 and twilight ends at 17:24. Chicago's sunset is two minutes earlier and twilight ends a minute earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 38 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 39 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:45 and sunrise is at 7:15. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 22% at midnight, will be 18% at noon and 14% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 3:59 and moonset is at 12:41. Moonrise is at 4:54 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 8 hours, 42 minutes.

My brother will be celebrating a birthday in three days. -Bernie-

January 20: ORD

Today is January 20th. It's the 20th day of the year. 345 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 29 and 14.

On the warm side, three years ago, in 2006, the high was 46 with a low of 32. In 1990 the high was 39 with a low of 33, a six degree spread. Two years earlier, in 1988, the high was 38 with a low of 31, a seven degree spread. In 1979 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. Two years later, in 1981, the high was 44 with a low of 24. Another warm high was 41 in 1999 and other warm lows were 26 in both 1986 and 1995. The record high of 63 was set back in 1906 and the record warmest low of 45 was set back in 1921. 22 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (8) and 30s (14). On the warmer side, three highs were 40s. On the colder side, three highs were in the 10s, one high was in the single digits and one high was in the negative single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1974 the high was 42 with a low of 35, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was 29 with a low of -2, a 31 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 0 with a low of -7, a seven degree spread and a cold day (at Midway). In 1963 the high was 5 with a low of -10, another cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of 5 degrees in 2005 (28/23) and 7 degrees in 1995 (33/26).

On the cold side, in 1985 the high was the record coldest high of -4 with the record low of -27. A year earlier, in 1984, the high was 0 with a low of -20. A decade later, in 1994, the high was 15 with a low of -12. Last year the high was 10 with a low of -5. In 2000 the high was 19 with a low of 0. 19 of the last 30 lows have been: 10s (12) and 20s (7). On the colder side, 7 lows were: negative 20s (2), negative 10s (1), negative single digits (1) and single digits (3). Four lows were in the warmer 30s.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 2005, 1.5 inches fell. This was the first day of a four day, 12.7 inch period of snow. Along with the 9.8 inches that fell earlier on January 4-6, this comprised 22.5 inches or 81% of the month's total of 27.8 inches.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:46 and sunrise is at 7:17. Sunset is at 16:53 and twilight ends at 17:23. Chicago's sunset is two minutes earlier and twilight ends a minute earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 36 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 37 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:45 and sunrise is at 7:16. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 30% at midnight, will be 26% at noon and 22% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 2:59 and moonset is at 11:59. Moonrise is at 3:59 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 9 hours.

The Presidential inauguration is today. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in four days. -Bernie-

January 19: ORD

Today is January 19th. It's the 19th day of the year. 346 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 29 and 12.

On the warm side, three years ago, in 2006, the high was 55 with a low of 27. In 1989 the high was 49 with a low of 25. Two years later, in 1991, the high was 44 with a low of 29. A decade earlier, in 1981, the high was 43 with a low of 28. Seven years later, in 1988, the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread. In 1995 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. Another warm low was 28 in 1986. The record high of 57 was set in 1933 and the record warmest low of 38 was set way back in 1880. 20 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (9) and 30s (11). On the warmer side, three highs were 40s and one high was in the 50s. On the colder side, three highs were in the 10s and three were in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1974 the high was 36 with a low of 35, a single degree spread. In 1970 the high was 4 with a low of -7, cold day at Midway. In 1969 the high was 32 with a low of 26, a six degree spread. In 1968 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. In 1963 the high was 10 with a low of 3, a seven degree spread.

More recently, we had a spread of 38 degrees in 1992 as the high was 33 and the low was -5.

On the cold side, in 1994 the high was the record coldest high of 3 with a low of -19. In 1985 the high was 10 with the record low of -23, a 33 degree spread. A year earlier, in 1984, the high was 8 with a low of -13. Last year the high was 6 with a low of -3. A dozen years earlier, in 1996, the high was 13 with a low of 4. In 2004 the high was 18 with a low of 3. Other cold lows were -5 in 1992 and -1 in 1997. The lows are kind of interesting. Instead of having a majority of lows in two or three categories, they're kind of spread out. It begins with one in the negative 20s, two in the negative 10s, three in the negative single digits, five in the single digits, eight in the 10s and nine in the 20s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:47 and sunrise is at 7:17. Sunset is at 16:51 and twilight ends at 17:22. There's a total of 9 hours, 34 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 35 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:46 and sunrise is at 7:17. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 39% at midnight, will be 34% at noon and 30% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 1:55 and moonset is at 11:24. Moonrise is at 2:59 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 29 minutes.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is today. The Presidential inauguration is tomorrow. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in five days. -Bernie-

January 18: ORD

Today is January 18th. It's the 18th day of the year. 347 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 28 and 12.

On the warm side, in 1986 the high was 45 with a low of 34. A decade earlier, in 1996, the high was the record high of 61 with a low of 13, a 48 degree spread. In 1996 the former record high of 57 (1933) was broken early in the morning before the temperature dropped 48 degrees. It was one of the worst temperature drops in Chicago's history. In 1989 the high was 45 with a low of 28. Six years later, in 1995, the high was 43 with a low of 29. In 1981 the high was 43 with a low of 26. In 1988 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. The record warmest low of 47 was set in 1973. Other warm lows were 27 in 1990 and 26 in 1980. 20 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (10) and 30s (10). On the warmer side, four highs were 40s and one high was in the 60s. There's been no 50s highs. On the colder side, five highs were: 10s (2), single digits (2) and one negative 10. There were no highs in the negative single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1974 the high was 42 with a low of 35, a seven degree spread. In 1969 the high was 35 with a low of 30, a five degree spread. In 1968 the high was 38 with a low of 32, a six degree spread. In 1967 the high was 11 with a low of -11, a cold day. In 1962 the high was 6 with a low of -6, another cold day. In 1960 the high was 32 with a low of 25, a seven degree spread.

On the cold side, in 1994 the high was the record coldest high of -11 with the record low of -21. This high of -11 ties the record for the coldest high ever with December 24, 1983. Other lows in 1994 were: Lake Villa: -26; Aurora, DeKalb and Marengo: -24; Rockford and Elgin: -23; Waukegan and Wheaton: -22; Midway: -20. A decade earlier, in 1984, the high was 8 with a low of -10. In 1997 the high was 6 with a low of -5. Five years earlier, in 1992, the high was 11 with a low of -1. In 1979 the high was 23 with a low of -8. Another cold low was 1 in 2005. 23 of the last 30 lows were: single digits (9), 10s (6) and 20s (8). Five lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative 10s (1) and negative single digits (3). Two lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:47 and sunrise is at 7:18. Sunset is at 16:50 and twilight ends at 17:21. There's a total of 9 hours, 32 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 34 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:47 and sunrise is at 7:17. The moon is waning crescent and reached last quarter last night at 20:46. Illumination was 49% at midnight, will be 44% at noon and 39% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 0:50 and moonset is at 10:55. Moonrise is at 1:55 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 5 minutes.

And now a note about the consecutive days of measurable snowfall record. The record (until this month) was eight consecutive days set from December 13-20 in 1973. This month we had nine. The amounts and days were: 6th (1.2), 7th (0.8), 8th (0.1), 9th (3.6), 10th (8.4), 11th (0.1), 12th (1.5), 13th (0.1) and 14th (2.2) for a total of 18 inches.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is tomorrow. The Presidential inauguration is in two days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in six days. -Bernie-

January 17: ORD

Today is January 17th. It's the 17th day of the year. 348 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 30 and 15.

On the warm side, in 1996 the high was 56 with a low of 37. A decade earlier, in 1986, the high was 54 with a low of 37. Four years later, in 1990, the high was 55 with a low of 35. A decade before, in 1980, the high was 44 with a low of 35. In 1989 the high was 45 with a low of 30. A year earlier, in 1988, the high was 41 with a low of 33. In 1995 the high was 43 with a low of 30. Three years ago, in 2006, the high was 43 with a low of 27. The record high of 60 was set way back in 1894 and the record warmest low of 42 was set in 1973. Another warm high was 41 in 1999. Another warm low was 28 in 2004. 22 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (10), 30s (6) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, three highs were 50s. On the colder side, five highs were: 10s (3) and single digits (2).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1977 the high was 4 with a low of -12, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 36 with a low of 31, a five degree spread. In 1969 the high was 37 with a low of 35, a two degree spread. In 1963 the high was 26 with a low of -12, a 38 degree spread and cold. In 1962 the high was 2 with a low of -4, a six degree spread and also a cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of four degrees in 1987 (29/25), six degrees in 2000 (25/19), six degrees in 2004 (34/28) and seven degrees in 2001 (26/19).

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was the former record coldest high of 4 with the record low of -23. Other lows in 1982 were as follows: Rockford: -25, Barrington and Marengo: -22, Elgin: -20, Wheaton, DeKalb and Waukegan: -18 and Midway: -17. In 1997 the high was the record coldest high of 3 with a low of -9. Three years earlier, in 1994, the high was 10 with a low of -13. In 2005 the high was 11 with a low of 2. In 1984 the high was 12 with a low of 2. 27 of the last 30 lows were: single digits (9), 10s (7), 20s (4) and 30s (7). Three lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative tens (1) and negative single digits (1).

And now a word about the past three days at O'Hare. All of them make the list of the coldest. On the 14th, this was the fourth coldest of the past 31 years as the high was 14 with a low of -2, 15 degrees below normal. On the 15th, this was the second coldest of the past 31 years. The high was -1 with a low of -13, 28 degrees below normal. It was only the second day of a high in the negative single digits. Only 1994 was slightly colder as the high that year was -4 with a low of -17. Other locations were colder. At DeKalb: -20; Aurora: -18; St.Charles, Lemont, South Elgin: -17; Joliet: -16; Elgin: -15. I had a reading on my cell phone, from The Weather Channel, of -17 in Crystal Lake and -16 in Bartlett. Yesterday (the 16th) was the second coldest of the past 31 years. The high was 3 with a low of -18, 28.5 degrees below normal. It was only the second day of a high in the single digits and it was the coldest high at O'Hare of the past 31 years. That low of -18 fell seven degrees short of equaling the record low set in 1982. In 1982 the high was 8 with a low of -25, 29.5 degrees below normal. On all of these days, the readings were colder in the outlying suburbs. And believe me, it was what we call "frickin' cold" yesterday morning. Here in northeast Illinois, Rockford was -25 at 6:51. This was a new record. In Romeoville, where the National Weather Service has been located since 1992, the low was -24 and the coldest since they've been there. Other locations: Barrington: -23, McHenry: -23, West Chicago: -22, Batavia: -22, St.Charles: -22, Elgin: -21, Joliet: -21, Park Forest: -19, O'Hare: -18, Midway: -17, Waukegan: -17, Wheeling: -15 and at Chicago's lakefront: -11. I had a reading on my cell phone, from The Weather Channel, of -21 in both Crystal Lake and Bartlett and -17 at the same time in Chicago on the west side. Now at Aurora airport in Sugar Grove, the low was -31. Tom Skilling of the WGN-TV news frequently states that the thermometer at the Aurora airport sits in a small valley and that's why they always have readings a bit colder than the rest of the Chicago area. At Dixon, which is west, southwest of DeKalb and just north of I-88, it was -32. At Polo, which is just a little north, northwest of Dixon, it was also -32. At Rochelle, which is between DeKalb and Dixon just north of I-88, it was -28. At Shabbona, which is south of I-88 but in a north/south line between DeKalb and Rochelle, it was -26. At Paw Paw, which is the next town southwest of Shabbona, it was -22. As indicated on the WGN-TV blog, we went 45 straight hours of zero or below zero chill. These readings courtesy of the National Weather Service's web site.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:18. Sunset is at 16:49 and twilight ends at 17:20. There's a total of 9 hours, 31 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 32 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:47 and sunrise is at 7:18. The moon is waning gibbous and hits last quarter tonight at 20:46. Illumination was 59% at midnight, will be 54% at noon and 49% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 10:30 and moonrise is at 0:50 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 30 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 1.2 inches fell. This was the seventh day of a 21.7 inch, seven day stretch of snow. This storm changed Chicago politics. The slow response that the city had to cleaning up after the storm was blamed on Mayor Michael Bilandic and his administration. This caused him to lose in the primary election to the eventual new mayor, Jayne Byrne. At O'Hare on the 13th, 15.3 inches fell while at Midway, 16.5 inches fell. This blizzard closed down the city for several days.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in two days. The Presidential inauguration is in three days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week. -Bernie-

January 16: ORD

Today is January 16th. It's the 16th day of the year. 349 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 32 and 15.

On the warm side, in 1980 the high was 56 with a low of 42. The record warmest low is 42, set back in 1913. Since the official station in 1980 was not O'Hare, this low of 42 in 1980 is not considered the official record warmest low. A decade later, in 1990, the high was the record high of 57 with a low of 36. A couple of years earlier, in 1988, the high was 46 with a low of 32. Three years ago (2006) the high was 47 with a low of 30. Two decades before, in 1986, the high was 50 with a low of 18, a 32 degree spread. In 1995 the high was 36 with a low of 31, a five degree spread. A year later, in 1996, the high was 43 with a low of 22. Another warm high was 42 in 1989. Other warm lows were 26 in both 1998 and 2001. 23 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (9), 30s (8) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, three highs were 50s. On the colder side, four highs were 10s and one high was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1977 the high was -4 with a low of -17, a cold day. The record coldest high of -7 was set this year (1977). It's unusual that Midway had a lower reading than O'Hare. In 1970 the high was 37 with a low of 31, a six degree spread. In 1969 the high was 37 with a low of 34, a three degree spread. In 1963 the high was 17 with a low of -12, another very cold day. In 1961 the high was 31 with a low of 27, a four degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of four degrees in 1998 (30/26), five degrees in 2001 (31/26) and five degrees in 2004 (29/24).

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was 8 with the record low of -25, a 33 degree spread. Other lows in 1982 were as follows: Rockford: -24, DeKalb and Marengo: -17, Midway, Elgin and Barrington: -16, Wheaton: -15. In 1994 the high was 10 with a low of -16. A decade earlier, in 1984, the high was 18 with a low of -6. In 1992 the high was 27 with a low of -12, a 39 degree spread. In 2005 the high was 14 with a low of 3. In 1979 the high was 24 with a low of -7, a 31 degree spread. A couple of locations in 1979 were a lot colder than Midway's -7. They were -24 at Elgin and -21 at Rockford. In 1997 the high was 22 with a low of -4. The record coldest high of -7 was set in 1977. 11 of the last 30 lows were 20s. 14 lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative 10s (2), negative single digits (3), single digits (3) and 10s (aka teens)(5). Five lows were warmer: 30s (4) and 40s (1). The Weather Channel is predicting that today's high will be only 4 and it's -21 in Crystal Lake now, so this will go down as one of the coldest January 16th's.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. Chicago's start of twilight and sunrise times are three and four minutes earlier, repectively. Sunset is at 16:48 and twilight ends at 17:19. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are two minutes earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 29 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 31 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:18. The moon is waning gibbous and heading towards the last quarter tomorrow at 20:46. Illumination was 69% at midnight, will be 64% at noon and 59% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 10:06 and moonrise is at 23:43. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 23 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 0.2 inches fell. This was the sixth day of a 21.7 inch, seven day stretch of snow. This storm changed Chicago politics. The slow response that the city had to cleaning up after the storm was blamed on Mayor Michael Bilandic and his administration. This caused him to lose in the primary election to the eventual new mayor, Jayne Byrne. At O'Hare on the 13th, 15.3 inches fell while at Midway, 16.5 inches fell. This blizzard closed down the city for several days.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in three days. The Presidential inauguration is in four days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week and a day. -Bernie-

January 15: ORD

Today is January 15th. It's the 15th day of the year. 350 days remain. It's week 3 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 29 and 13.

On the warm side, in 1990 the high was 53 with a low of 27. A decade earlier, in 1980, the high was 47 with a low of 32. In 2006 the high was 45 with a low of 27. Six years earlier, in 2000, the high was 42 with a low of 26. Five years before that, in 1995, the high was 36 with a low of 30, a six degree spread. Six years after that, in 2001, the high was 35 with a low of 31, a four degree spread. Other warm lows were 30 in 2002 and 27 in 1987. The record high of 60 was set in 1949 and the record warmest low of 40 was set way back in 1894. 20 of the last 30 highs were 20s (9) and 30s (11). On the warmer side, four highs were: 40s (3) and 50s (1). On the colder side, five highs were in the 10s and one negative single digit. There have been no single digit highs so far.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1976 the high was 37 with a low of 7, a 30 degree spread. In 1973 the high was 36 with a low of 33, a three degree spread. In 1972 the high was -9 with a low of -17, a very cold day. In 1965 the high was 21 with a low of 15, a six degree spread. In 1963 the high was 0 with a low of -19, another very cold day. That low of -19 at O'Hare equals the record low of -19 set at Midway Airport in 1979. In 1961 the high was 34 with a low of 30, a four degree spread. In 1959 the high was 34 with a low of 1, a 33 degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of four degrees in 2002 (34/30) and seven degrees in 1998 (31/24). In 1986 the spread was 33 degrees (37/4).

On the cold side, in 1994 the high was -4 with a low of -17. Fifteen years earlier, in 1979, the high was 11 with a low of -17. Three years later, in 1982, the high was 14 with a low of -9. Another three years later, in 1985, the high was 13 with a low of -4. In 1992 the high was 20 with a low of -10. In 1984 the high was 17 with a low of 0. 21 years later, in 2005, the high was 15 with a low of 4. The record low of -19 was set at Midway in 1979. The record coldest high of -5 was set in 1972. Other lows in 1979 were -17 at O'Hare, -20 at Barrington and Wheaton, -21 at NIU in DeKalb, -22 west of Crystal Lake at Marengo and -24 at Rockford and Elgin. 21 of the last 30 lows were: single digits (5), 10s (6) and 20s (10). Five lows were colder: negative 10s (3) and negative single digits (2). Four lows were in the warmer 30s. The Weather Channel is predicting that today's high will be only -2 and it's -13 in Crystal Lake now, so this will go down as one of the coldest January 15th's.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. Chicago's start of twilight and sunrise times are three minutes earlier. Sunset is at 16:47 and twilight ends at 17:18. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are two minutes earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 28 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 30 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. The moon is waning gibbous and heading towards the last quarter in two days at 20:46. Illumination was 78% at midnight, will be 74% at noon and 69% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 9:44 and moonrise is at 22:36. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 8 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 1.6 inches fell. This was the fifth day of a 21.7 inch, seven day stretch of snow. This storm changed Chicago politics. The slow response that the city had to cleaning up after the storm was blamed on Mayor Michael Bilandic and his administration. This caused him to lose in the primary election to the eventual new mayor, Jayne Byrne. At O'Hare on the 13th, 15.3 inches fell while at Midway, 16.5 inches fell. This blizzard closed down the city for several days.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in four days. The Presidential inauguration is in five days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week and two days. -Bernie-

January 14: ORD

Today is January 14th. It's the 14th day of the year. 351 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 29 and 15.

On the warm side, in 1987 the high was 45 with a low of 30. In 1996 the high was 47 with a low of 28. Six years earlier, in 1990, the high was 45 with a low of 29. Five years later, in 1995, the high was 39 with a low of 35, a four degree spread. Seven years later, in 2002, the high was 40 with a low of 30. A year before that (2001) the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. Five years later, in 2006, the high was 37 with a low of 28. Another warm high was 41 in 1980. Other warm lows were 30 two years ago and 26 in 1983. The record high of 60 was set back in 1928 and the record warmest low of 41 was set in 1953. 21 of the last 30 highs were 20s (11) and 30s (10). On the warmer side, five highs were 40s. On the colder side, four highs were: 10s (2) and single digits (2).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1970 (at Midway) the high was 24 with a low of 19, a five degree spread. In 1969 the high was 27 with a low of 23, a four degree spread. In 1968 the high was 35 with a low of 31, a four degree spread. In 1963 the high was 7 with a low of -12, a cold day. In 1962 the high was 33 with a low of 28, a five degree spread. In 1960 the high was 38 with a low of 34, a four degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of three degrees two years ago (33/30) and four degrees in 1999 (20/16). In 1985 the spread was 30 degrees (33/3).

On the cold side, in 1994 the high was the record coldest high of 1 with a low of -10. The former record coldest high of 2 occurred back in 1905. A dozen years earlier, in 1982, the high was 9 with a low of -10. Three years earlier, in 1979, the high was 21 with a low of -12. The record low of -14 was set this same year (1979) but it was set at Midway. Usually the low at O'Hare would be colder than at Midway, so this is a bit unusual. In 1997 the high was 20 with a low of -3. In 2005 the high was 15 with a low of 4. Another cold low was 0 in 1988. 26 of the last 30 lows were: single digits (6), 10s (7), 20s (8) and 30s (5). Four lows were colder: negative 10s (3) and negative single digits (1).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. Chicago's start of twilight and sunrise times are four minutes earlier. Sunset is at 16:46 and twilight ends at 17:17. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are two minutes earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 26 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 28 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 87% at midnight, will be 83% at noon and 78% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 9:21 and moonrise is at 21:26. Moonset is at 9:44 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 55 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 0.6 inches fell. This was the fourth day of a 21.7 inch, seven day stretch of snow.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in five days. The Presidential inauguration is in six days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week and three days. -Bernie-

January 13: ORD

Today is January 13th. It's the 13th day of the year. 352 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 32 and 18.

On the warm side, three years ago the high was 49 with a low of 32. In 1995 the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread. In 1987 the high was 44 with a low of 24. In 2001 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. In 1980 the high was 39 with a low of 28. In 2002 the high was 42 with a low of 24. In 1996 the high was 44 with a low of 21. Another warm high was 47 in 2005. Other warm lows were 29 two years ago and 27 last year. The record high of 58 and record warmest low of 44 were both set back in 1932. 16 of the last 30 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, five highs were 40s. On the colder side, seven highs were 20s and two highs were 10s.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1971 the high was 33 with a low of 28, a five degree spread. In 1961 the high was 52 with a low of 29, a rare 50s high.

More recently, we had a small spread of four degrees two years ago (33/29). In 2005 the spread was 32 degrees (47/15).

On the cold side, in 1997 the high was 10 with a low of -4. A year later, in 1998, the high was 15 with a low of -1. Another cold low was 1 in 1994. The record low of -9 was set back in 1929. The record coldest high of -2 was set way back in 1893. 21 of the last 30 lows were: 10s (12) and 20s (9). Six lows were colder: negative single digits (2) and single digits (4). Three lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. Chicago's start of twilight and sunrise times are three minutes earlier. Sunset is at 16:44 and twilight ends at 17:15. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are a minute earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 24 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 26 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 94% at midnight, will be 90% at noon and 87% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 8:57 and moonrise is at 20:14. Moonset is at 9:21 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 43 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 15.3 inches fell. This was the third day of a 21.7 inch, seven day storm. Midway had 16.5 inches on this same day.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in six days. The Presidential inauguration is in a week. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week and four days. -Bernie-

January 12: ORD

Today is January 12th. It's the 12th day of the year. 353 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 34 and 19.

On the warm side, four years ago the high was the record high of 62 with a low of 34. Three years ago the high was 57 with a low of 34. In 1995 the high was 47 with a low of 37. Two years ago the high was 48 with a low of 33. Fifteen years before, in 1992, the high was 40 with a low of 34, a six degree spread. A decade later, in 2002, the high was 41 with a low of 29. Fifteen years before, in 1987, the high was 44 with a low of 25. In 2004 the high was 39 with a low of 30. Other warm highs were 42 in 1989 and 41 last year. Other warm lows were 27 in 2000 and 26 in 1996. The record warmest low of 42 was set way back in 1890. 25 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (7), 30s (10) and 40s (8). On the warmer side, one high was in the 50s and one high was in the 60s. On the colder side, two highs were 10s and one high was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1977 the high was 4 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 4 with a low of -13, another cold day. In 1968 the high was 26 with a low of 20, a six degree spread. In 1964 the high was 23 with a low of 19, a four degree spread.

More recently, we had three days of small spreads. One was four degrees: 30/26 in 1996. Two others were seven degrees: 20/13 in 1984 and 29/22 in 1991.

On the cold side, in 1997 the high was the record coldest high of 2 with a low of -7. A dozen years prior, in 1985, the high was 14 with a low of -1. Three years before that, in 1982, the high and low were also 14 and -1. Another cold low was -1 in 1981. The record low of -14 was set back in 1918. 24 of the last 30 lows were: 10s (9), 20s (9) and 30s (6). Six lows were colder: negative single digits (4) and single digits (2).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. Chicago's start of twilight and sunrise times are four minutes earlier. Sunset is at 16:43 and twilight ends at 17:14. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are a minute earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 22 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 24 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. The full Wolf moon was two nights ago at 21:27. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 98% at midnight, will be 96% at noon and 94% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 8:27 and moonrise is at 18:57. Moonset is at 8:57 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 30 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 2.6 inches fell. This was the second day of a 21.7 inch, seven day storm. Back in 1903 at the Auditorium Tower in Chicago, 11.3 inches fell. This was the station of record at the time.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in a week. The Presidential inauguration is in a week and a day. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week and five days. -Bernie-

January 11: ORD

Today is January 11th. It's the 11th day of the year. 354 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 32 and 18.

On the warm side, two years ago the high was 45 with a low of 35. Three years ago the high was 42 with a low of 37. Seven years ago (2002) the high was 43 with a low of 33. In 1990 the high was 42 with a low of 32. Two years later, in 1992, the high was 45 with a low of 25. A dozen years before, in 1980, the high was 54 with a low of 15. In 1989 the high was 44 with a low of 25. Other warm lows were 30 in 2005, 29 in 2000, 28 in 2008, 27 in 2004 and 26 in 1991. The record high of 61 was set way back in 1880 and the record warmest low of 40 was set way back in 1890. 24 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (6), 30s (10) and 40s (8). On the warmer side, one highs was in the 50s (54 in 1980). On the colder side, three highs were 10s and two highs were single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1977 the high was 5 with a low of -11, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 45 with a low of 6, a 39 degree spread. In 1968 the high was 26 with a low of 20, a six degree spread. In 1963 the high was 30 with a low of 26, a four degree spread. In 1962 the high was 8 with a low of -13, another cold day. In 1960 the high was 37 with a low of 30, a seven degree spread.

More recently, we had four days of small spreads. One was four degrees: 28/24 in 1996. Three others were six degrees: 32/26 in 1991, 29/23 in 1993 and 36/30 in 2005.

On the cold side, in 1979 the high was 13 with a low -16. The official record low of -11 was set in 1977 because the low at Midway in 1979 was just -10. Other area temperatures in 1979 were: -24 at Rockford, -20 at Aurora, -26 at Barrington, -22 at DeKalb, -18 at Elgin, -29 at Marengo (just west of Crystal Lake) and -25 at Wheaton. In 1982 the high was the record coldest high of 4 with a low of -4. Fifteen years later, in 1997, the high was 6 with a low of -4. Two years after that, in 1999, the high was 13 with a low of -3. In 1981 the high was 14 with a low of -2. Three years later, in 1984, the high was 21 with a low of -2. 13 of the last 30 lows were 20s. Twelve lows were colder: negative 10s (1), negative single digits (5), single digits (3) and tens (3). Five lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. Sunset is at 16:42 and twilight ends at 17:13. There's a total of 9 hours, 21 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 23 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. The full Wolf moon was last night at 21:27. Illumination was 100% at midnight, will be 99% at noon and 98% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 7:52 and moonrise is at 17:36. Moonset is at 8:27 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 16 minutes.

Today is a major day in O'Hare's snow history. In 1979, 0.2 inches fell. This was the first day of a 21.7 inch, seven day storm.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in a week and a day. The Presidential inauguration is in a week and two days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week and six days. -Bernie-

January 10: ORD

Today is January 10th. It's the 10th day of the year. 355 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service,Chicago,at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between November 1978 and last year. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Thursday, January 17, 1980.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 30-year averages are 30 and 15.

On the warm side, in 2000 the high was 46 with a low of 37. Two years later, in 2002, the high was 44 with a low of 34. In 1983 the high was 41 with a low of 35, a six degree spread. Last year the high was 44 with a low of 32. In 1980 the high was 52 with a low of 16, a thirty-six degree spread. Other warm lows were 29 (1987, 1990, 2005). Both records were established in 1975. That year saw a high of 60 with a low of 42. 19 of the last 30 highs were: 20s (7) and 30s (12). On the warmer side, four highs were 40s and one was a 50s high. On the colder side, four highs were 10s, one high was in the single digits and one high was in the negative single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1978 the high was 8 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 60 with a low of 41. Midway's high was also 60 (the record) but at Midway the low was a degree higher at 42. In 1962 the high was 4 with a low of -15, another cold day.

More recently, we had four days of small spreads. One was at five degrees: 34/29 in 1987. Three others were six degrees: 25/19 in 1985, 27/21 in 1993 and 35/29 in 2005.

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was the record coldest high of -4 with the record low of -26. The low at Rockford was -27. Three years earlier, in 1979, the high was 2 with a low of -13. I wonder if 1979's temperatures were a harbinger of things to come. Much of our coldest weather occurred in the 1980s. In 1988 the high was 15 with a low of -12. A decade and a year later, in 1999, the high was 14 with a low of -2. In 1981 the high was 16 with a low of -2. In 1984 the high was 20 with a low of -4. 18 of the last 30 lows were: 10s (10) and 20s (8). Eight lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative 10s (2), negative single digits (3) and single digits (2). Four lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. Sunset is at 16:41 and twilight ends at 17:12. There's a total of 9 hours, 20 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 22 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. The full Wolf moon is tonight at 21:27. Illumination was 99% at midnight, will be 100% at noon and 100% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 7:06 and moonrise is at 16:14. Moonset is at 7:52 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 52 minutes.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in a week and two days. The Presidential inauguration is in a week and three days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in two weeks. -Bernie-