Saturday, March 31, 2012

March 31: ORD

Today is March 31st. It's the 91st day of the year. 275 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980. Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 53 and the normal low is 34. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 55 and 35.


On the warm side, in 1986 (O'Hare's warmest March 31st) the high was 83 with a low of 48, a 35 degree spread. Five years earlier, in 1981, the high was the record high of 87 with a low of 41, a HUGE 46 degree spread. Two years ago, in 2010, the high was 77 with a low of 51. In 1999 the high was 71 with a low of 48. In the prior year of 1998, the high was 72 with a low of 45. In 2006 the high was 68 with a low of 45. The other warm low was 46 in 1982. The record warmest low of 60 was set in 1967 at Midway.
22 of the past 33 highs (67%) were in the: 40s (12) and 50s (10). O'Hare recorded eight consecutive 40s & 50s highs from 1990 through 1997. On the warm side, ten highs (30%) were in the: 60s (5), 70s (3) and 80s (2). Prior to 1979, O'Hare's warm highs were 78 in 1978, 74 in 1971, 68 in 1967 and 65 in 1968. O'Hare's warmest low was 58 in 1967. On the cold side, one high in the past 33 years (3%) was in the 30s. 

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was a warm 78 with a low of 39, a 39 degree spread and warm day. In 1975 the high was 58 with a low of 24, a 34 degree spread. In 1971 the high was a warm 74 with a low of 42, a 32 degree spread and warm day. In 1969 the high was 33 with a low of 12, a cold day. 1969 was also the year of the record low (12 at Midway). In 1968 the high was a warm 65 degrees. In 1967 the high was 68 with a low of 58, another warm day and year of the record warmest low of 60 at Midway. In 1966 the high was 54 with a cold low of 22, a 32 degree spread. In 1964 the high was 35 with a low of 19, a cold day. In 1963 the low was a warm 46 degrees. In 1960 the high was was a cold 38 with a low of 31, a seven degree spread.

More recently, we had a small spread of seven degrees in 1990 (45/38). There were large spreads of 31 degrees in 2003 (55/24) and 37 degrees in 2000 (63/26).


On the cold side, in 1987 the high was 40 with a low of 20. Two years later, in 1989, the high was 37 with a low of 33, a four degree spread. The record low of 12 originally occurred in 1923 and was later tied in 1969. The record coldest high of 21 occurred in 1923. As you can see, 1923 was the coldest March 31st. Official readings in 1923 were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 17 of the last 33 lows (52%) were in the 30s. O'Hare recorded six consecutive 30s lows from 1988 through 1993. Eight lows (24%) were in the cold 20s. O'Hare's coldest March 31st was in 1969 with a high of 33 (coldest high of the date) and low of 12 (coldest low of the date). The second coldest was in 1964 with a high of 35 and low of 19. These two lows in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) were the only ones in O'Hare's history for the date. Eight lows (24%) were in the warm: 40s (7) and 50s (1). The only 50s low of the last 33 years (51 degrees) occurred two years ago in 2010. This was just the second 50s low in O'Hare's history for March 31st. The other was 58 in 1967.  


There was an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1986 the high was 83 with a low of 48, overall 22.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1987 the high was 40 with a low of 20, overall 13 degrees BELOW normal. 

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. Today and yesterday, back in 1926 at the University of Chicago, 8.7 inches fell. Rockford today had 13.5 of it's 16 inch total back in 1926.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:09 and sunrise is at 6:37. Sunset is at 19:19 and twilight ends at 19:47. There's a total of 12 hours, 42 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 38 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:07 and sunrise is at 6:35. The moon is waxing gibbous, having reached first quarter yesterday at 14:41. Illumination was 54% at midnight, will be 59% at noon and 64% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 2:40 this morning. Moonrise is at 12:40 this afternoon. Moonset is at 3:18 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours which is 20 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are tomorrow. Good Friday is in six days. Easter is in eight days.       

March 30: ORD

Today is March 30th. It's the 90th day of the year. 276 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 52 and the normal low is 34. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 53 and 35.


On the warm side, in 1998 (O'Hare's warmest March 30th) the high was the co-record high of 79 with the record warmest low of 66. In 2005 the high was 77 with a low of 54. In 1986 the high was the co-record high of 79 with a low of 51. Four years earlier, in 1982, the high was 63 with a low of 48. In 1999 the high was 72 with a low of 38, a 34 degree spread. Two decades earlier, in 1979, the high was 66 with a low of 43. The other warm highs were 70 in 2006, 66 in 1993 and 64 two years ago in 2010. The other warm low was 46 in 2007.
15 of the past 33 highs (45%) were in the 40s. On the warm side, 16 highs (49%) were in the: 50s (6), 60s (5) and 70s (5). O'Hare's third high of 79 for the date occurred on its second warmest March 30th in 1967 (high of 79, low of 53). The other pre-1979 warm highs were 76 in 1968, 75 in 1963 and 65 in 1977. On the cold side, two highs (6%) were in the 30s. 

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 57 with a low of 27, a 30 degree spread. In 1977 the high was a warm 65 degrees. In 1975 the high was 30 with a low of 21, a cold day. In 1972 the high was a cold 37 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1969 the high was 27 with a low of 12, a cold day, year of the record low of 12 and record coldest high of 27 (at Midway). In 1968 the high was a warm 76 with a low of 34, a 42 degree spread and warm day. In 1967 the high was 79 (equal to the record high) with a low of 53, another warm day. In 1965 the high was 36 with a low of 20, a cold day. In 1964 the high was 31 with a low of 2, another cold day. That low of 2 was colder than the record low (12 degrees). And of course, it isn't the record because O'Hare was not the official station of record for Chicago in 1964. In 1963 the high was a warm 75 with a low of 41, a 34 degree spread and warm day. In 1961 the low was a cold 20 degrees. 

More recently, we had small spreads of six degrees in 1985 (38/32) and six degrees in 2008 (42/36). There were large spreads of 35 degrees two years ago in 2010 (64/29), 35 degrees in 2006 (70/35) and 32 degrees in 1993 (66/34).

On the cold side, in 1987 the high was 34 with a low of 23. In 1991 the high was 42 with a low of 22. The other cold high was 38 in 1985. The record low of 12 and record coldest high of 27 were set on the same cold day in 1969. 26 of the last 33 lows (79%) were in the: 20s (9) and 30s (17). O'Hare's coldest March 30th was in 1964 with a high of 31 and low of 2. That low of 2 was colder than the official record low and is O'Hare's only single digit low of the date. O'Hare's second coldest March 30th was in 1969 with a high of 27 and low of 12. The high was O'Hare's only 20s high of the date and the low was its only 10s (a.k.a. teens) low of the date. Seven lows (21%) were in the warm: 40s (4), 50s (2) and 60s (1).   

There was an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1986 the high was 79 with a low of 51, overall 22 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1987 the high was 34 with a low of 23, overall 14.5 degrees BELOW normal. 

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. Today and tomorrow, back in 1926 at the University of Chicago, 8.7 inches fell. Rockford today had 2.5 of it's 16 inch total back in 1926.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:10 and sunrise is at 6:38. Sunset is at 19:17 and twilight ends at 19:46. There's a total of 12 hours, 39 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 36 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:09 and sunrise is at 6:37. The moon is reaches first quarter today at 14:41. Illumination was 45% at midnight, will be 49% at noon and 54% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 1:59 this morning. Moonrise is at 11:39 this morning. Moonset is at 2:40 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 20 minutes which is nine minutes shorter than yesterday.

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in two days. Good Friday is in seven days. Easter is in nine days.    

Friday, March 30, 2012

March 29: ORD

Today is March 29th. It's the 89th day of the year. 277 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 52 and the normal low is 33. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 52 and 34.


On the warm side, in 1986 (O'Hare's warmest March 29th) the high was the record high of 88 with a low of 54, a 34 degree spread. In 1998 the high was 79 with a low of 44, a 35 degree spread. In 1981 the high was 63 with a low of 55 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). The other warm highs were 71 in 2005 and 64 in 1993. The other warm low was 46 in 2007.
The record warmest low of 63 was set way back in 1910, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 15 of the past 33 highs (45%) were in the 40s. On the warm side, 16 highs (49%) were in the: 50s (6), 60s (7), 70s (2) and 80s (1). Prior to 1979, O'Hare's warm highs were 80 in 1963 and 71 in 1960. On the cold side, two highs (6%) were in the 30s.

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1977 the high was 68 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1976 the high was 60 with a warm low of 50, a warm day. In 1975 the high was a cold 35 with a low of 26, a cold day. In 1973 the high was 46 with a low of 42, a four degree spread. In 1972 the high was a cold 38 with a low of 31, a seven degree spread. In 1970 the high was 32 with a low of 19, a cold day. In 1969 the high was 28 with a low of 16, another cold day. In 1968 the high was a warm 66 degrees. In 1965 the high was 37 with a low of 21, a cold day. In 1964 the high was 28 with a low of 14, another cold day. What made 1964 even more notable was that 7.4 inches of snow fell as well. In 1963 the high was was a warm 80 with a low of 39, a warm day and a spread of 41 degrees. In 1962 the high was a warm 64 degrees. In 1960 the high was a warm 71 with a low of 40, a 31 degree spread and warm day.

More recently, we had small spreads of six degrees in 1990 (44/38), six degrees in 1995 (43/37) and seven degrees in 1992 (43/36). There were large spreads of 34 degrees in 1982 (60/26) and 38 degrees in 2005 (71/33).


On the cold side, in 1991 the high was 37 with a low of 24. In 2003 the high was 38 with a low of 26. The other cold high was 40 in 1983. The record low of 9 and record coldest high of 24 were set on the same cold day way back in 1887, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 27 of the last 33 lows (82%) were in the: 20s (10) and 30s (17). O'Hare's coldest March 29th was in 1964 with a high of 28 and low of 14. The second coldest March 29th was in 1969 with a high of 28 and low of 16. These highs of 28 were O'Hare's only 20s highs of the date. O'Hare's only other sub-20s low of the date was 19 in 1970. Six lows were in the warm: 40s (4) and 50s (2). Prior to 1981, O'Hare's warm lows were 51 in 1977 and 50 in 1976.

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. In 1972 at O'Hare, 5.9 inches fell. At Midway, 6.5 inches fell. But Rockford takes the cake as 10.4 inches fell there.

Three years ago (in 2009) in Crystal Lake we had somewhere between 5 and 6 and a half inches of snow. The big event at my house was that our evergreen tree was uprooted by the storm and was draped across our driveway. Other amounts were: 6.8 inches at Bull Valley (close to Crystal Lake), 7.2 inches in Cary (close to Crystal Lake), 5.4 inches in St. Charles, 5 inches in DeKalb, 4.8 inches in Schaumburg, 3.8 inches in Elgin, 3 inches in Barrington, 2 inches in Harvard, 1.5 inches in Streamwood, 0.4 inches at Midway, 0.1 inches in Rockford and just a trace at O'Hare. It's kind of unique that all three major regional airports (O'Hare, Midway and Rockford) hardly had any snow. So it seems that conditions were just right that very specific locations got hit.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:12 and sunrise is at 6:40. Sunset is at 19:16 and twilight ends at 19:45. There's a total of 12 hours, 36 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 33 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:10 and sunrise is at 6:38. The moon is waxing crescent and will reach first quarter tomorrow at 14:41. Illumination was 35% at midnight, will be 40% at noon and 45% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 1:13 this morning. Moonrise is at 10:44 this morning. Moonset is at 1:59 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 29 minutes which is one minute shorter than yesterday.

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in three days. Good Friday is in eight days. Easter is in ten days. 

Thursday, March 29, 2012

March 28: ORD

Today is March 28th. It's the 88th day of the year. 278 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 52 and the normal low is 33. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 53 and 34.


On the warm side, in 1986 the high was the record high of 79 with a low of 43, a 36 degree spread. Three years later, in 1989, the high was 68 with a low of 54 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). In 2004 the high was 74 with a low of 48. In 1981 the high was 78 with a low of 42, a 36 degree spread. In 1998 the high was 65 with a low of 49. The year before, in 1997, the high was 62 with a low of 48.
The record warmest low of 57 occurred back in 1910, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 22 of the last 33 highs (67%) were in the: 40s (11) and 50s (11). O'Hare recorded seven consecutive 40s & 50s highs from 1990 through 1996. On the warm side, eight highs (24%) were in the: 60s (5) and 70s (3). O'Hare's warmest March 28th was in 1968 as the high was 78 with a low of 52. That high of 78 was O'Hare's warmest until 1986. On the cold side, three highs (9%) were in the 30s.

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1977 the high was 62 with a warm low of 50, a warm day. In 1975 the high was a cold 38 with a low of 34, a four degree spread. In 1974 the high was a cold 40 with a low of 36, a four degree spread. In 1970 the high was 30 with a low of 15, a cold day. In 1968 the high was 78 with a low of 52, a warm day. In 1966 the low was a cold 20 degrees. In 1965 the high was 39 with a low of 19, a cold day. In 1964 the high was 34 with a low of 18, another cold day. In 1962 the high was was 69 with a low of 48, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 42 with a low of 35, a seven degree spread. In 1958 the high was a cold 40 degrees.

More recently, we had small spreads of six degrees in 1995 (44/38), six degrees in 2007 (50/44), six degrees three years ago (in 2009) (38/32) and seven degrees in 1980 (44/37). There were large spreads of 31 degrees in 1979 (59/28) and 33 degrees in 2005 (60/27).


On the cold side, last year, in 2011, the high was 36 with a low of 21. In 1983 the high was 38 with a low of 26. The other cold low was 21 in 1982. The other cold highs were 38 three years ago in 2009 and 40 the year prior, in 2008. The record low of 9 and record coldest high of 23 were set on the same day way back in 1887, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 26 of the last 33 lows (79%) were in the: 20s (10) and 30s (16). O'Hare recorded seven consecutive 20s & 30s lows from 1990 through 1996. Seven lows (21%) were in the warm: 40s (6) and 50s (1). O'Hare's coldest March 28th was in 1970 with a high of 30 and low of 15. The second coldest March 28th was in 1964 with a high of 34 and low of 18.  

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. In 1970 at O'Hare, this was the fifth of five days in which 11.8 inches fell. Today 1.0 inches fell.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:14 and sunrise is at 6:42. Sunset is at 19:15 and twilight ends at 19:43. There's a total of 12 hours, 33 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 29 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:12 and sunrise is at 6:40. The moon is waxing crescent and will reach first quarter in two days. Illumination was 26% at midnight, will be 31% at noon and 35% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 0:23 this morning. Moonrise is at 9:53 this morning. Moonset is at 1:13 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 30 minutes which is 21 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in four days. Good Friday is in nine days. Easter Sunday is in 11 days.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

March 27: ORD

Today is March 27th. It's the 87th day of the year. 279 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 51 and the normal low is 33. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 52 and 33.


On the warm side, in 1989 (O'Hare's warmest March 27th) the high was 75 with the record warmest low of 59. In 1998 the high was 77 (O'Hare's warmest high of the date) with a low of 56. Way back in 1910 the low was also 56. These were the former record warmest lows. In 1985 the high was 70 with a low of 54. In 1997 the high was 75 with a low of 48. In 2007 the high was 73 with a low of 45. In 1991 the high was 74 with a low of 38, a 36 degree spread. In 2003 the high was 67 with a low of 40.
The record high of 82 was set back in 1945 at Midway. 19 of the past 33 highs (58%) were in the: 40s (9) and 50s (10). On the warm side, eight highs (24%) were in the: 60s (2) and 70s (6). The 60s highs occurred in the back-to-back years of 2003 (67 degrees) and 2004 (60 degrees). On the cold side, six highs (18%) were in the 30s.

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1977 the high was 62 with a warm low of 54, a warm day. In 1975 the high was a cold 34 with a low of 31, a three degree spread. In 1974 the high was 41 with a low of 34, a seven degree spread. In 1970 the high was a cold 39 degrees. In 1969 the low was a cold 19 degrees. In 1968 the high was 76 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1966 the high was 38 with a low of 20, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 32 with a low of -1, a 33 degree spread and cold day. That low of -1 was colder than the record low (see below). In 1964 the high was 36 with a low of 14, another cold day. In 1963 the high was a warm 67 with a low of 35, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was a warm 67 degrees.

More recently, we had small spreads of six degrees in 1984 (39/33) and seven degrees in 1995 (45/38). There was a large spread of 33 degrees in 1999 (57/24).


On the cold side, in 1996 (O'Hare's second coldest March 27th) the high was 36 with the record low of 12. In 1982 the high was 36 with a low of 20. Three years before that, in 1979, the high was 39 with a low of 18. Last year, in 2011, the high was 35 with a low of 23. The other cold highs were 39 degrees in both 1984 and 2001. The record coldest high of 26 was set way back in 1904, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 24 of the last 33 lows (73%) were in the: 20s (11) and 30s (13). O'Hare recorded six consecutive 20s & 30s lows from 1990 through 1995. Two lows (6%) were in the cold 10s (a.k.a. teens). O'Hare's coldest March 27th was in 1965 as the high was 32 with a low of -1. O'Hare's third coldest was in 1964 as the high was 36 with a low of 14. Seven lows (21%) were in the warmer: 40s (4) and 50s (3).

There was an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1996 the high was 36 with a low of 12, overall 18 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1997 the high was 75 with a low of 48, overall 19.5 degrees ABOVE normal.

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. In 1970 at O'Hare, this was the fourth of five days in which 11.8 inches fell. Today 0.1 inches fell.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:16 and sunrise is at 6:44. Sunset is at 19:14 and twilight ends at 19:42. There's a total of 12 hours, 30 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 26 minutes between twilights. We gained two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:14 and sunrise is at 6:42. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 18% at midnight, will be 22% at noon and 26% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 9:09 this morning. Moonset is at 0:23 tomorrow morning. Moonrise is at 9:53 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 51 minutes which is 8 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in five days. Good Friday is in ten days. Easter Sunday is in 12 days.  

March 26: ORD

Today is March 26th. It's the 86th day of the year. 280 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 51 and the normal low is 32. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 51 and 32.


On the warm side, in 2007 (O'Hare's warmest March 26th) the high was the record high of 79 with the record warmest low of 63. The former record high of 77 occurred in 1976. The former record warmest lows were 56 in 1976 followed by 60 in 1998. In 1998 the high was 75 with a low of 60. Seven years earlier, in 1991, the high was 75 with a low of 52. In 2004 the high was 67 (our most recent 60s high) with a low of 45. In 1989 the high was 76 with a low of 34, a 42 degree spread. The other warm highs were 68 in 2000, 65 in 1985, 63 in 1986 and 63 in 1981.
28 of the past 33 highs (85%) were in the: 30s (5), 40s (13), 50s (5) and 60s (5). On the warm side, four highs were in the 70s. Prior to 2007, O'Hare's warmest high was 77 in 1976. The other pre-1979 warm highs were 74 in 1968, 72 in 1961, 69 in 1977 and 65 in 1967. On the cold side, one high was in the 20s. Prior to 1979, O'Hare had a cold high of 25 in 1964.

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was a cold 33 with a low of 31, a two degree spread. In 1977 the high was a warm 69 with a low of 38, a 31 degree spread. In 1976 the high was 77 with a low of 53, the former record high and warm day. In 1975 the high was 35 with a low of 20, a cold day. In 1969 the high was a cold 32 with a low of 22, a cold day. In 1968 the high was 74 with a low of 47, a warm day. In 1967 the high was a warm 65 degrees. In 1966 the high was a cold 38 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 28 with a low of 3, a cold day. That low of 3 was colder than the record low (see below). In 1964 the high was 25 with a low of 18, a seven degree spread and a cold day. In 1961 the high was 72 with a low of 47, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 34 with a low of 11, another cold day. In 1959 the high was a cold 38 with a low of 34, a four degree spread.

More recently, we had an additional small spread of seven degrees in 1987 (49/42). There were large spreads of 34 degrees in 1985 (65/31), 32 degrees in 2000 (68/36) and 30 degrees in 1986 (63/33).


On the cold side, in 1996 the high was the record coldest high of 23 with a low of 15. The record coldest high of 23 also occurred back in 1937. Five years later, in 2001, the high was 33 with a low of 16. In 1979 the high was 33 with a low of 16. Last year, in 2011, the high was 32 with a low of 25. In 1982 the high was 34 with a low of 27. The other cold high was 38 in 2002. The record low of 7 was set way back in 1873, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 25 of the last 33 lows (76%) were in the: 20s (9) and 30s (16). O'Hare recorded seven consecutive lows in the 20s & 30s from 1980 through 1986. Three lows (9%) were in the cold 10s (a.k.a. teens). O'Hare's coldest March 26th was in 1965 when the high was 28 with a low of 3, its coldest low of the date. Five lows (15%) were in the warm: 40s (2), 50s (1) and 60s (2).

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. At O'Hare in 1965, this was the seventh of seven days in which a total of 10.2 inches fell. Today 0.7 inches fell. In 1970 at O'Hare, this was the third of five days in which 11.8 inches fell. Today 4.8 inches fell. At Midway in 1970, 8.9 inches fell. This was the second of two days in which a total of 14.3 inches fell.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:17 and sunrise is at 6:45. Sunset is at 19:13 and twilight ends at 19:41. There's a total of 12 hours, 28 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 24 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:16 and sunrise is at 6:44. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 12% at midnight, will be 15% at noon and 18% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 8:30 this morning. Moonset is at 23:29 tonight. Moonrise is at 9:09 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 59 minutes which is 23 minutes longer than yesterday. Moonlight time is at its peak today.
 

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in six days.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

March 25: ORD

Today is March 25th. It's the 85th day of the year. 281 days remain. It's week 13 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 50 and the normal low is 32. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 49 and 32.


On the warm side, in 2007 (O'Hare's warmest March 25th) the high was the record high of 79 with a low of 48, a 31 degree spread. The former record high of 75 was first set in 1939 and then tied 1967. In 1986 the high was 72 with a low of 51. In 2004 the high was 62 (our most recent 60s high) with the record warmest low of 57, a five degree spread. The record warmest low of 57 first occurred in 1945. In 1988 the high was 62 with a low of 44. In 2000 the high was 61 with a low of 44. The other warm highs were 65 in 1991 and 63 in 1989. 24
of the past 33 highs (73%) were in the: 30s (6), 40s (10) and 50s (8). On the warm side, seven highs (22%) were in the: 60s (5) and 70s (2). Prior to 1979, O'Hare's warmest highs were 75 in 1967 (which was the warmest until 2007), 67 in both 1968 and 1976, 65 in 1963 and 62 in 1977. On the cold side, two highs were in the 20s. Prior to 1979, the cold highs were 25 in 1960 and 26 in 1965.

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 32 with a low of 25, a seven degree spread and cold day. In 1977 the high was a warm 62 with a low of 30, a 32 degree spread. In 1976 the high was a warm 67 with a low of 34, a 33 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 32 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 44 with a cold low of 10, a 34 degree spread and cold day. That low of 10 was colder than the record low of 12 at Midway the same year (1974). In 1973 the high was 47 with a low of 40, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was a cold 38 degrees. In 1969 the high was a cold 35 degrees. In 1968 the high was a warm 67 with a low of 38, a warm day. In 1967 the high was a warm 75 with a low of 41, a 34 degree spread and warm day. In 1966 the high was 37 with a low of 16, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 26 with a low of 17, another cold day. In 1964 the high was a cold 35 with a low of 22, yet another cold day. In 1963 the high was 65 with a low of 55, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 25 with a low of 9, a cold day. That low of 9 was another reading that was colder than the record of 12 set in 1974. In 1959 the high was 43 with a low of 36, a seven degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of six degrees in 2005 (39/33) and seven degrees in 1980 (35/28). There were large spreads of 40 degrees in 1996 (56/16), 33 degrees in 1995 (58/25), 32 degrees in 1981 (57/25) and 32 degrees in 1991 (65/33).

On the cold side, in 1979 the high was 25 with a low of 16. In 2001 the high was 25 with a low of 19, a six degree spread. In 1983 the high was 32 with a low of 20. In 2002 the high was 31 with a low of 24, a seven degree spread. Last year, in 2011, the high was 34 with a low of 24. The other cold low was 16 in 1996. The other cold highs were 35 in 1980 and 38 in 1999. The record low of 12 was originally set in 1940 and tied in 1974. The record coldest high of 19 was set way back in 1894, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 23 of the last 33 lows (70%) were in the: 20s (12) and 30s (11). O'Hare recorded consecutive 20s & 30s lows as follows: six from 1980 through 1985 and seven from 1989 through 1995. Three lows (9%) were in the cold 10s (a.k.a. teens). O'Hare's coldest March 25th was in 1960 when the high was 25 with a low of 9, O'Hare's coldest low of the date. The second coldest low was 10 in 1974. Seven lows (21%) were in the warm: 40s (5) and 50s (2). O'Hare had a warm low of 55 in 1963 which was the warmest low until the current record warmest low of 57 occurred in 2004.

There was an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 2000 the high was 61 with a low of 44, overall 11.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 2001 the high was 25 with a low of 19, overall 19 degrees BELOW normal.

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. At O'Hare in 1965, this was the sixth of seven days in which a total of 10.2 inches fell. Today 0.2 inches fell. In 1970 at O'Hare, this was the second of five days in which 11.8 inches fell. Today 5.8 inches fell. At Midway in 1970, 5.4 inches fell. This was the first of two days in which a total of 14.3 inches fell. In 1930 at the University of Chicago, a total of 21.6 inches fell on the 24th and 25th. 14.4 inches fell in an unspecified 24 hour time frame during these two days. Tom Skilling of WGN-TV said in his blog that the total was 19.2 inches. So there appears to be a slight discrepancy between the totals.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:19 and sunrise is at 6:47. Sunset is at 19:12 and twilight ends at 19:40. There's a total of 12 hours, 25 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 21 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:17 and sunrise is at 6:45. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 6% at midnight, will be 9% at noon and 12% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 7:56 this morning. Moonset is at 22:32 tonight. Moonrise is at 8:30 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 36 minutes which is 27 minutes longer than yesterday.
 

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in seven days.

Monday, March 26, 2012

March 24: ORD

Today is March 24th. It's the 84th day of the year. 282 days remain. It's week 12 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. ORD has been the official site of record for Chicago since Thursday, January 17, 1980.
Before this, the official site of record was on the south side of Chicago at Midway International Airport (MDW), beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 1942. Before that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 50 and the normal low is 32. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 52 and 32.


On the warm side, three years ago, in 2009, the high was 69 with a low of 48. In 2003 the high was 74 with a low of 42, a 32 degree spread. Four years later, in 2007, the high was 64 with a low of 52 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). In 1987 the high was 69 with a low of 45. In 2000 the high was 68 with a low of 46. In 1988 the high was 71 with a low of 42. In 2004 the high was 63 with a low of 44. The other warm highs were 64 in 1989, 63 in 1996 and 62 in 1994. The record high of 79 was first set back in 1910 and tied in 1939. The record warmest low of 61 was set back in 1910. So overall, 1910 was our warmest March 24th. These records were set at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan.
26 of the past 33 highs (79%) were in the: 40s (8), 50s (10) and 60s (8). On the warm side, two highs (6%) were in the 70s. O'Hare's warmest March 24th was in 1963 (high of 74, low of 47). O'Hare's second warmest March 24th was in 1976 (high of 70, low of 49). Another pre-1979 warm day was in 1959 (high of 74, low of 38). So O'Hare's warmest highs of the date were 74 degrees in 1959, 1963 and 2003. On the cold side, five highs (15%) were in the 30s.

In looking back through the years to the first March at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was a cold 33 with a low of 24, a cold day. In 1976 the high was 70 with a low of 49, a warm day. In 1975 the high was 58 with a low of 28, a 30 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 15 with a low of 5, a very cold day and the year that the records were established (at Midway, see "cold side" below). In 1972 the high was a cold 35 with a low of 28, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was 37 with a low of 18, a cold day. In 1966 the high was 27 with a low of 18, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 23 with a low of 5, a cold day. In 1963 the high was 74 with a low of 47, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 27 with a low of 13, a cold day. In 1959 the high was a warm 74 with a low of 38, a 36 degree spread and warm day.

More recently, we had a small spread of seven degrees in 1985 (42/35). There were large spreads of 32 degrees in 1989 (64/32) and 33 degrees in 1992 (58/25).

On the cold side, in 1983 the high was 31 with a low of 18. In 2001 the high was 36 with a low of 21. A decade later (and last year) the high was 34 with a low of 24. The other cold high was 38 in 1990. The record low of 5 and record coldest high of 17 were set on the same cold day in 1974 at Midway. 25 of the last 33 lows (76%) were in the: 20s (15) and 30s (10). One low (3%) was in the cold 10s (a.k.a. teens). O'Hare's coldest March 24th was in 1974: high of 15 (O'Hare's only high in the 10s of the date) and low of 5. The second coldest March 24th was in 1965: high of 23 and low of 5. These low of 5 are O'Hare's only single digit lows of the date. O'Hare also had cold highs of 27 in both 1960 and 1966. Seven lows (21%) were in the warm: 40s (6) and 50s (1).

There was an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 2000 the high was 68 with a low of 46, overall 16 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 2001 the high was 36 with a low of 21, overall 12.5 degrees BELOW normal.

Today is a major day in Chicago's snow history. At O'Hare in 1965, this was the fifth of seven days in which a total of 10.2 inches fell. Today 0.5 inches fell. In 1970, this was the first of five days in which 11.8 inches fell. Today 0.1 inches fell. In 1930 at the University of Chicago, a total of 21.6 inches fell on the 24th and 25th. 14.4 inches fell in an unspecified 24 hour time frame during these two days. Tom Skilling of WGN-TV said in his blog that the total was 19.2 inches. So there appears to be a slight discrepancy between the totals.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:21 and sunrise is at 6:49. Sunset is at 19:11 and twilight ends at 19:39. There's a total of 12 hours, 22 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 18 minutes between twilights. We gained three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:19 and sunrise is at 6:47. The moon is waxing crescent and was new two mornings ago at 9:37. Illumination was 3% at midnight, will be 4% at noon and 6% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 7:25 this morning. Moonset is at 21:34 tonight. Moonrise is at 7:56 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 9 minutes which is 31 minutes longer than yesterday.

Spring began on March 12th and runs for 84 days through June 3rd. Cool Spring began on March 12th and runs for 32 days through April 12th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 60s and 70s usually occur infrequently. April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday are in eight days.