September 21: ORD

Today is September 21st. It's the 265th day of the year. 101 days remain. It's week 38 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 73 and the normal low is 52. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 71 and 52.

On the warm side, two years ago, in 2010 (tied with 1970 as O'Hare's warmest September 21st), the high was 88 with a low of 68 (along with 1965 and 1970, O'Hare's second warmest low of the date). Three years earlier, in 2007 (O'Hare's second warmest September 21st), the high was 88 with a low of 64. Those highs of 88 degrees in 2007 and 2010 are O'Hare's hottest of the date along with a high of 88 degrees in 1970. In 1980 (O'Hare's fourth warmest September 21st with 1959 and 1965) the high was 79 with a low of 69 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). Post-1978, O'Hare's other warm high was 87 degrees in 2005. The record high of 92 degrees was set at Midway in 1970. The record warmest low of 76 degrees occurred in 1931 at the University of Chicago. 14 of the past 33 highs (42%) were in the 60s. 17 highs (52%) were in the warm: 70s (8) and 80s (9). 5 of our last 8 highs (62%) and 6 of our last 10 highs (60%) were in the 80s. Two highs (6%) were in the cool 50s. Tied with 2010 as O'Hare's warmest September 21st is 1970 as the high was 88 (tied with 2007 and 2010 as the hottest high of the date) and low of 68. O'Hare's third warmest 9/21 was in 1964 as the high was 85 with a low of 65. The other two years that are tied with 1980 as O'Hare's fourth warmest 9/21 is 1959 (high of 84, low of 64) and 1965 (high of 80, low of 68).  

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the low was a cold 40 degrees. In 1975 the high was a cool 58 with a low of 51, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 88 with a low of 68, a hot day and year of the record high. In 1965 the high was 80 with a warm low of 68, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 85 with a low of 65, a hot day. In 1962 the high was 71 with a cold low of 33, a 38 degree spread. That low of 33 was colder than the record low. In 1959 the high was 84 with a warm low of 64, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (87/53), 32 degrees in 1984 (80/48) and 31 degrees in 2004 (82/51). There was a small spread of seven degrees three years ago in 2009 (67/60).

On the cool side, in 1995 (O'Hare's coolest September 21st) the high was the record coolest high of 50 with a low of 41. In 1983 (O'Hare's second coolest September 21st) the high was 53 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with the co-record low of 39. The other co-record low of 39 degrees occurred in 1991. Those lows of 39 degrees are actually the second coldest lows of the date. The other post-1978 cool highs were 61 degrees in both 1982 and 1999. The other post-1978 cold low of 40 degrees occurred in 2006. 17 of the last 33 lows (52%) were in the 50s. Nine lows (27%) were in the 40s. Two lows (6%) were in the cold 30s. Five lows (15%) were in the warm 60s. O'Hare's coldest low of 33 degrees (colder than the record low) occurred in 1962, at a time when O'Hare was not the official station of record. O'Hare's third coolest high of the date of 58 degrees occurred in 1975.

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 18:51 and twilight ends at 19:19. There's a total of 12 hours, 11 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 7 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:13 and sunrise is at 6:41. The moon is waxing crescent and reaches first quarter tomorrow morning at 9:49. Illumination was 32% at midnight, will be 38% at noon and 44% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 13:09 this afternoon. Moonset is at 22:45 tonight. Moonrise is at 14:06 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 36 minutes which is eight minutes shorter than yesterday.

Summer began on June 4th and runs for 110 days through today, September 21st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 70s and 80s. Highs in the 60s, 90s and 100s occur infrequently. The Autumnal Equinox is tomorrow at 9:49. Columbus Day is in 17 days. Standard Time doesn't return until November 4th.

September 21: ORD

Today is September 21st. It's the 264th day of the year. 101 days remain. It's week 38 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 73 and the normal low is 52. I've calculated the 32-year averages at 71 and 52.

On the warm side, last year, in 2010, the high was 88 with a low of 68. Three years earlier, in 2007, the high was 88 with a low of 64. In 1980 the high was 79 with a low of 69. The other warm high was 87 in 2005. The record high of 92 was set at Midway in 1970. The record warmest low of 76 occurred in 1931, a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 21 of the past 32 highs (66%) were in the: 60s (14) and 70s (7). Our most recent 70s high was 76 in 2003. Nine highs (28%) were in the warm 80s. Two highs (6%) were in the cool 50s.

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the low was a cold 40 degrees. In 1975 the high was a cool 58 with a low of 51, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 88 with a low of 68, a hot day and year of the record high. In 1965 the high was 80 with a warm low of 68, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 85 with a low of 65, a hot day. In 1962 the high was 71 with a cold low of 33, a 38 degree spread. That low of 33 was colder than the record low. In 1959 the high was 84 with a warm low of 64, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (87/53), 32 degrees in 1984 (80/48) and 31 degrees in 2004 (82/51). There was a small spread of seven degrees two years ago, in 2009 (67/60).

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was the record coolest high of 50 with a low of 41. In 1983 the high was 53, the only other 50s high, with the co-record low of 39. The other co-record low of 39 occurred in 1991. These were the only 30s lows. The other cool highs were 61 in both 1982 and 1999. The other cold low was 40 in 2006. 25 of the last 32 lows (78%) were in the: 40s (9) and 50s (16). Two lows were in the cold 30s. Five lows were in the warm 60s. Three of the last four years featured lows in the 60s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:11 and sunrise is at 6:39. Sunset is at 18:53 and twilight ends at 19:21. There's a total of 12 hours, 14 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 10 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:12 and sunrise is at 6:40. The moon reached last quarter yesterday at 8:39 and is waning crescent. Illumination was 43% at midnight, will be 38% at noon and 33% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 15:08 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 0:56 tomorrow morning. Moonset is at 15:48 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 15 hours, 8 minutes which is 37 minutes longer than yesterday. Moonlight time is at it's peak.

Summer began June 4 and runs for 110 days through September 21 (today). High temperatures in this period are usually in the 70s and 80s. Highs in the 60s, 90s and 100s occur infrequently. Warm Fall begins tomorrow (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. Columbus Day is in 19 days.

September 21: ORD

Today is September 21st. It's the 264th day of the year. 101 days remain. It's week 38 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 72 and the normal low is 52. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 71 and 52.

On the hot side, in 2007 the high was 88 with a low of 64. In 1980 the high was 79 with a low of 69. Another hot high was 87 in 2005. The two warmest 80s highs occurred within the last five years. The record high of 92 was set at Midway in 1970. The record warmest low of 76 occurred in 1931, a time when the official readings were taken on the lakefront. Over the last 31 years, 14 highs were in the 60s. 15 highs have been in the warmer: 70s (7) and 80s (8). Two highs were in the cooler 50s.

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the low was a cool 40 degrees. In 1975 the high was a cool 58 with a low of 51, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 88 with a low of 68, a hot day and year of the record high. In 1965 the high was 80 with a warm low of 68, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 85 with a low of 65, a hot day. In 1962 the high was 71 with a cool low of 33, a 38 degree spread. That low of 33 was cooler than the record low. In 1959 the high was 84 with a low of 64, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (87/53), 32 degrees in 1984 (80/48) and 31 degrees in 2004 (82/51). There was a small spread of seven degrees last year (67/60).

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was the record coolest high of 50 with a low of 41. In 1983 the high was 53, the only other 50s high, with the co-record low of 39. The other co-record low of 39 was set in 1991. These were the only 30s lows. 16 of the last 31 lows have been 50s. 11 lows were in the cooler: 30s (2) and 40s (9). Four lows were in the warmer 60s. Two of the last three years featured lows in the 60s.

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 18:52 and twilight ends at 19:20. There's a total of 12 hours, 12 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 8 minutes between twilights. We are losing two to four minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:13 and sunrise is at 6:41. The moon is waxing gibbous. Illumination was 96% at midnight, will be 97% at noon and 99% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 5:01 this morning. Moonrise is at 17:51 this afternoon. Moonset is at 6:01 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 10 minutes which is 37 minutes longer than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in 20 days. -Bernie-

September 21: ORD

Today is September 21st. It's the 264th day of the year. 101 days remain. It's week 38 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 72 and the normal low is 52. I've calculated the 30-year averages at 71 and 51.

On the hot side, in 2007 the high was 88 with a low of 64. In 1980 the high was 79 with a low of 69. Another hot high was 87 in 2005. The record high of 92 was set in 1970. The record warmest low of 76 occurred in 1931, a time when the official readings were taken on the lakefront. Over the last 30 years, 13 highs were in the 60s. 15 highs have been in the warmer: 70s (7) and 80s (8). Two highs were in the cooler 50s.

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the low was a cool 40 degrees. In 1975 the high was 58 with a low of 51, a seven degree spread. In 1971 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 88 with a low of 68, a hot day. In 1965 the high was 80 with a low of 68, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 85 with a low of 65, a hot day. In 1962 the high was 71 with a low of 33, a 38 degree spread. In 1959 the high was a 84 with a low of 64, a warm day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2005 (87/53), 32 degrees in 1984 (80/48) and 31 degrees in 2004 (82/51). There were no small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was the record coolest high of 50 with a low of 41. in 1983 the high was 53, the only other 50s high, with the co-record low of 39. The other co-record low of 39 occurred in 1991. These were the only 30s lows. 16 of the last 30 lows have been 50s. 11 lows were in the cooler: 30s (2) and 40s (9). Three lows were in the warmer 60s.

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 18:52 and twilight ends at 19:20. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:13 and sunrise is at 6:41. There's a total of 12 hours, 12 minutes of daylight today (three minutes less than yesterday) and 13 hours, 8 minutes between twilights. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 8% at midnight, will be 11% at noon and 15% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 10:08. Moonset is at 20:01 tonight. Moonrise is at 11:17 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 53 minutes which is 40 minutes shorter than yesterday.

The autumnal equinox is tomorrow at 16:18. -Bernie-

September 21: ORD

Today is September 21st. It's the 265th day of the year. 101 days remain. It's week 39 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 72 and the normal low is 52. The 29-year averages are 71 and 51.

On the hot side, last year the high was 88 with a low of 64. In 1980 the high was 79 with a low of 69. In 1986 the high was 82 with a low of 60. Another hot high was 87 in 2005. The record high of 92 was set in 1970 and the record warmest low of 76 was set in 1931. Quite a line-up of high temperatures over the last 29 years: 13 have been 60s and there have been seven in the 70s and seven in the 80s.

The large spreads (differences of 30 degrees or more between the daily high and low) were: 34 degrees in 2005 (87/53), 32 degrees in 1984 (80/48) and 31 degrees in 1994 (82/51).

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was the record coolest high of just 50 degrees along with a low of 41. In 1983 the high was another 50s high of 53 with the co-record low of 39. The other co-record low of 39 occurred in 1991 and yet another way back in 1889. In 1982 the high was 61 with a low of 41. In 1999 the was also 61 with a low of 41. Another cool high was 62 in 1987. Another cool low was 40 two years ago. 15 of the last 29 lows have been 50s and nine have been 40s.

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 18:51 and twilight ends at 19:19. Twilight begins tomorrow at 6:13 and sunrise is at 6:41. There's a total of 12 hours, 11 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 7 minutes between twilights. The moon is waning gibbous and will reach the last quarter tonight at 4 minutes past midnight. Illumination was 61% at midnight, will be 55% at noon and 50% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 14:13 this afternoon and moonrise is at 22:52 tonight. Moonlight time is 15 hours, 21 minutes today. The autumnal equinox is tomorrow at 10:44.

The following events are all 22 days away on October 13th: Columbus Day, my parents' 46th wedding anniversary and a brother-in-law, Buddy, will be turning 33. -Bernie-