October 17: ORD

Today is October 17th. It's the 291st day of the year. 75 days remain. It's week 42 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. From Friday, January 1, 1926 through Tuesday, June 30, 1942, the official site was at the University of Chicago. Before this, 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 62 and the normal low is 42. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 61 and 42.
 
On the warm side, in 1994 (O'Hare's second warmest October 17th) the high was 78 with a low of 61 (O'Hare's third warmest low of the date). Four years later, in 1998, the high was 70 with the record warmest low of 63, a seven degree spread. As you can see, two of O'Hare's three lows in the 60s on October 17th occurred in the past 33 years. In 1990 the high was 78 with a low of 51. The other warm highs were 80 degrees in 1964 (O'Hare's second hottest high of the date), 75 degrees in 2005, 74 degrees in 1991 and 74 degrees in 1995. The record high of 86 degrees was set in 1950 at Midway. 17 of the past 33 highs (52%) were in the: 40s (3) and 50s (14). 16 of the past 33 highs (48%) were in the: 60s (6) and 70s (10). O'Hare's warmest October 17th was in 1965 as the high was 82 (O'Hare's warmest high of the date) with a low of 62 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date). The other warm days are: 1963 (high of 76, low of 57), 1961 (high of 78, low of 53), 1968 (high of 77, low of 54) and 1971 (high of 76, low of 51).   

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 67 with a low of 35, a 32 degree spread. In 1976 the high was 50 with a low of 29, a cold day. In 1972 the high was a cool 47 with a low of 31, a cool day. In 1971 the high was a warm 76 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1968 the high was 77 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1965 the high was 82 with a low of 62, a warm day. In 1964 the high was a warm 80 with a low of 43, a 37 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 76 with a low of 57, a warm day. In 1962 the high was 69 with a low of 37, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was a warm 78 with a low of 53, a warm day. 

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (75/41) and 30 degrees two decades earlier in 1985 (72/42). There were no additional small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 1992 (O'Hare's coolest October 17th) the high was 49 with a low of 28 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date). A decade later, in 2002, the high was 45 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 36. The other cool high of 47 degrees (tied with 1972 as O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) occurred in 1989. The record low of 26 degrees was set in 1948 at Midway. The record coolest high of 40 degrees occurred way back in 1880, a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 27 of the last 33 lows (82%) were in the: 30s (10) and 40s (17). One low was in the cold 20s. Five lows were in the warm: 50s (3) and 60s (2). O'Hare's second coolest October 17th was in 1972 as the high was 47 (tied with 1989 as O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 31. O'Hare's third coolest October 17th was in 1976 as the high was 50 with a low of 29 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:41 and sunrise is at 7:09. Sunset is at 18:08 and twilight ends at 18:36. There's a total of 10 hours, 59 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 55 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:42 and sunrise is at 7:10. The moon is waxing crescent and was new two days ago at 7:02. Illumination was 4% at midnight, will be 7% at noon and 11% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 9:47 this morning. Moonset is at 19:40 tonight. Moonset is at 10:57 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 53 minutes which is 24 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. United Nations Day is in seven days. Standard Time doesn't return until November 4th. 

October 17: ORD

Today is October 17th. It's the 290th day of the year. 75 days remain. It's week 42 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.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 62 and the normal low is 42. I've calculated the 32-year averages at 61 and 42.

On the warm side, in 1994 the high was 78 with a low of 61. Four years later, in 1998, the high was 70 with the record warmest low of 63, a seven degree spread. As you can see, two of O'Hare's three lows in the 60s on October 17th occurred in the past 32 years. In 1990 the high was 78 with a low of 51. Other warm highs were 75 in 2005, 74 in 1991 and 74 in 1995. The record high of 86 was set in 1950 at Midway. 16 of the past 32 highs (50%) were in the: 40s (3) and 50s (13). 16 of the past 32 highs (50%) were in the: 60s (6) and 70s (10). Our most recent: 70s high was 72 in 2007 and 60s high was 65 last year, in 2010.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 67 with a low of 35, a 32 degree spread. In 1976 the high was 50 with a low of 29, a cold day. In 1972 the high was a cool 47 with a low of 31, a cool day. In 1971 the high was a warm 76 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1968 the high was 77 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1965 the high was 82 with a low of 62, a warm day. In 1964 the high was a warm 80 with a low of 43, a 37 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 76 with a low of 57, a warm day. In 1962 the high was 69 with a low of 37, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was a warm 78 with a low of 53, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (75/41) and 30 degrees two decades earlier in 1985 (72/42). There were no additional small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 1992 the high was 49 with a low of 28, the only 20s low of the last 32 years and only the second one at O'Hare on October 17th (see 1976 above). A decade later, in 2002, the high was 45 with a low of 36. Another cool high was 47 in 1989. The record low of 26 was set in 1948 at Midway. The record coolest high of 40 occurred way back in 1880, a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 26 of the last 32 lows (81%) were in the: 30s (10) and 40s (16). One low was in the cold 20s. Five lows were in the warm: 50s (3) and 60s (2).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:40 and sunrise is at 7:08. Sunset is at 18:09 and twilight ends at 18:37. There's a total of 11 hours, 1 minute of daylight today and 11 hours, 57 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:41 and sunrise is at 7:09. The moon is waning gibbous and reaches last quarter in two days. Illumination was 78% at midnight, will be 74% at noon and 69% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 12:19 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 21:45 tonight. Moonset is at 13:04 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 34 minutes which is 4 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Warm Fall began September 22 and runs for 41 days through November 1. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. United Nations Day is in seven days.

October 17: ORD

Today is October 17th. It's the 290th day of the year. 75 days remain. It's week 42 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.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 62 and the normal low is 42. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 61 and 42.

On the warm side, in 1994 the high was 78 with a low of 61. Four years later, in 1998, the high was 70 with the record warmest low of 63, a seven degree spread. In 1990 the high was 78 with a low of 51. Other warm highs were 75 in 2005, 74 in 1995 and 74 in 1991. The record high of 86 was set in 1950. Over the last 31 years, 23 highs (74%) have been: 50s (13) and 70s (10). Five highs were in the 60s and three highs were in the cooler 40s. Our last high in the 60s occurred 10 years ago in 2000 (63). Today's predictions are 65 by The Weather Channel and 62 by the National Weather Service.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 67 with a low of 35, a 32 degree spread. In 1976 the high was 50 with a low of 29, a cool day. In 1972 the high was a cool 47 with a low of 31, a cool day. In 1971 the high was a warm 76 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1968 the high was 77 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1965 the high was 82 with a low of 62, a warm day. In 1964 the high was a warm 80 with a low of 43, a 37 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 76 with a low of 57, a warm day. In 1962 the high was 69 with a low of 37, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was a warm 78 with a low of 53, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (75/41) and 30 degrees two decades earlier in 1985 (72/42). There were no additional small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 1992 the high was 49 with a low of 28. A decade later, in 2002, the high was 45 with a low of 36. Another cool high was 47 in 1989. The record low of 26 was set in 1948 and the record coolest high of 40 occurred way back in 1880. 25 of the last 31 lows (81%) were: 30s (10) and 40s (15). One low was in the cooler 20s. Five lows were in the warmer: 50s (3) and 60s (2).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:40 and sunrise is at 7:08. Sunset is at 18:08 and twilight ends at 18:37. There's a total of 11 hours of daylight today and 11 hours, 57 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:41 and sunrise is at 7:10. The moon is waxing gibbous. Illumination was 72% at midnight, will be 76% at noon and 80% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 1:54 this morning. Moonrise is at 15:32 this afternoon. Moonset is at 2:53 tomorrow morning. Moonrise is at 15:55 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 22 minutes which is 37 minutes longer than yesterday.

United Nation's Day is in seven days. Halloween is in 14 days. Election Day is in 16 days. -Bernie-

October 17: ORD

Today is October 17th. It's the 290th day of the year. 75 days remain. It's week 42 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.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 62 and the normal low is 42. I've calculated the 30-year averages at 61 and 42.

On the warm side, in 1994 the high was 78 with a low of 61. Four years later, in 1998, the high was 70 with the record warmest low of 63, a seven degree spread. In 1990 the high was 78 with a low of 51. Other warm highs were 75 in 2005, 74 in 1995 and 74 in 1991. The record high of 86 was set in 1950. Over the last 30 years, 22 highs have been: 50s (12) and 70s (10). Five highs were in the 60s and three highs were in the cooler 40s.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 67 with a low of 35, a 32 degree spread. In 1976 the high was 50 with a low of 29, a cool day. In 1972 the high was 47 with a low of 31, a cool day. In 1971 the high was 76 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1968 the high was 77 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1965 the high was 82 with a low of 62, a warm day. In 1964 the high was a warm 80 with a low of 43, a 37 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 76 with a low of 57, a warm day. In 1962 the high was 69 with a low of 37, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 78 with a low of 53, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (75/41) and 30 degrees two decades earlier in 1985 (72/42). There were no additional small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 1992 the high was 49 with a low of 28. A decade later, in 2002, the high was 45 with a low of 36. Another cool high was 47 in 1989. The record low of 26 was set in 1948 and the record coolest high of 40 occurred way back in 1880. 24 of the last 30 lows were: 30s (9) and 40s (15). One low was in the cooler 20s. Five lows were in the warmer: 50s (3) and 60s (2).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. No data available.

United Nations Day is in a week. Halloween is in two weeks. -Bernie-

October 17: ORD

Today is October 17th. It's the 291st day of the year. 75 days remain. It's week 42 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 62 and the normal low is 42. The 29-year averages are 62 and 42.

On the warm side, in 1994 the high was 78 with a low of 61. In 1998 the high was 70 with the record warmest low of 63 (only 7 degrees between the high and low). In 1990 the high was 78 with a low of 51. Other warm highs were 75 in 2005 and 74 in both 1991 and 1995. Other pre-1979 warm days at O'Hare were in 1965 (82/62), 1964 (80/43), 1963 (76/57) and 1961 (78/53). The record high of 86 was set in 1950. An unusual pattern comprises the tally of high temperatures over the last 29 years. There were three highs in the 40s, 11 highs in the 50s, five highs in the 60s and ten highs in the 70s. Usually the two middle groups of highs (50s and 60s) would comprise most of the highs. So in this case the 60s are lagging behind.

The large spreads were 34 degrees in 2005 (75/41) and 30 degrees in 1985 (72/42). The small spreads were eight degrees in 1979 (60/52), 1989 (47/39) and two years ago (58/50).

On the cool side, in 1992 the high was 49 with a low of 28. In 2002 the high was 45 with a low of 36 (a 9 degree spread). In 2001 the high was 51 with a low of 33. In 1982 the high was 52 with a low of 32. Other cool highs were 47 in 1989 and 52 in both 1986 and 1999. Other cool lows were 31 degrees in both 2003 and 2004. The record low of 26 was set in 1948. The record coolest high of 40 was set way back in 1880. 23 of the 29 lows have been 30s (9) and 40s (14).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:41 and sunrise is at 7:09. Sunset is at 18:08 and twilight ends at 18:36. Twilight begins tomorrow at 6:42 and sunrise is at 7:10. There's a total of 10 hours, 59 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 55 minutes between twilights. Chicago's sunrise and sunset times are three minutes earlier. The moon is waning gibbous and was full three days ago at 15:02 (the full Hunter's moon). Illumination was 92% at midnight, will be 88% at noon and 84% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 10:50 this morning. Moonrise is at 19:45 tonight. Moonset is at 12:03 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 15 hours, 5 minutes today.

United Nations Day is in a week. My oldest sister, Mary Ann, will celebrate a birthday in nine days. Halloween is in two weeks. -Bernie-