September 23: ORD

Today is September 23rd. It's the 267th day of the year. 99 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 72 and the normal low is 51. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 69 and 49.

On the hot side, two years ago, in 2010 (O'Hare's warmest September 23rd), the high was 89 (O'Hare's hottest high of the date) with a low of 65 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). Two years prior, in 2008, the high was 82 with a low of 59. The second hottest high of the date of  85 degrees occurred in 2004 and the third hottest high of 84 degrees occurred in 2007. O'Hare's second warmest low of 64 degrees occurred in 1986. The record high of 91 degrees was set in 1937 at the University of Chicago. The record warmest low of 71 degrees occurred way back in 1891, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 23 of the past 33 highs (70%) were in the: 60s (14) and 70s (9). Five highs (15%) were in the warm 80s. Five highs (15%) were in the cool 50s. The five 80s highs occurred more recently, from 1999 through 2010. The five 50s highs occurred longer ago, from 1983 through 1995. Our most recent 50s high is 58 degrees in 1995. O'Hare's third warmest low of the date of 63 degrees occurred in 1968.

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 68 with a cold low of 36, a 32 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 60 with a cold low of 28, a 32 degree spread and cool day. That low of 28 was colder than the record low. In 1972 the high was a cool 60 degrees. In 1968 the low was a warm 63 degrees. In 1966 the high was 73 with a low of 42, a 31 degree spread. In 1960 the high was 67 with a low of 61, a six degree spread.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2007 (84/50), 31 degrees in 2004 (85/54), 30 degrees in 2002 (69/39) and 30 degrees in 1979 (73/43). There was a small spread of five degrees in 2005 (67/62).

On the cool side, in 1995 (O'Hare's coolest September 23rd) the high was 58 with the record low of 29 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). In 1989 the high was 54 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 37. In 1983 the high was 56 with a low of 35. In 1981 the high was 63 with a low of 35. In 1992 the high was 59 with a low of 40. The record coolest high of 51 degrees occurred back in 1928 at the University of Chicago. 24 of the last 33 lows (73%) were in the: 40s (14) and 50s (10). O'Hare recorded six consecutive 40s and 50s lows from 1996 through 2001. Five lows (15%) were in the cold: 20s (1) and 30s (4). Four lows (12%) were in the warm 60s. O'Hare's second coolest September 23rd was in 1974 as the high was 60 with a low of 28 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date and a low colder than the record low). O'Hare's other cool highs were 59 degrees in 1990 and 60 degrees in 1972. O'Hare's other cold lows were 36 degrees in 1976 and 39 degrees in 2002.

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 18:48 and twilight ends at 19:16. There's a total of 12 hours, 6 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 2 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:15 and sunrise is at 6:43. The moon is waxing gibbous, having reached first quarter yesterday at 14:41. Illumination was 55% at midnight, will be 61% at noon and 66% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 14:55 this afternoon. Moonset is at 0:54 tomorrow morning. Moonrise is at 15:37 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 5 minutes which is 37 minutes shorter than yesterday. Moonlight time is at its least today.

Warm Fall began yesterday 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. The Autumnal Equinox was yesterday at 9:49. Columbus Day is in 15 days. Standard Time doesn't return until November 4th.

September 23: ORD

Today is September 23rd. It's the 266th day of the year. 99 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 51. I've calculated the 32-year averages at 70 and 49.

On the hot side, in 2010 (last year) the high was 89 with a low of 65. Two years prior, in 2008, the high was 82 with a low of 59. The other warm highs were 85 in 2004 and 84 in 2007. The record high of 91 was set in 1937. Our warmest low was 64 in 1986. The record warmest low of 71 occurred way back in 1891, a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 22 of the past 32 highs (69%) were in the: 60s (13) and 70s (9). Five highs were in the warm 80s and five were in the cool 50s. The five 80s highs occurred more recently, from 1999 through last year (2010). The five 50s highs occurred longer ago, from 1983 through 1995.

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 68 with a cold low of 36, a 32 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 60 with a cold low of 28, a 32 degree spread and cool day. That low of 28 was colder than the record low. In 1972 the high was a cool 60 degrees. In 1968 the low was a warm 63 degrees. In 1966 the high was 73 with a low of 42, a 31 degree spread. In 1960 the high was 67 with a low of 61, a six degree spread.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees in 2007 (84/50), 31 degrees in 2004 (85/54), 30 degrees in 2002 (69/39) and 30 degrees in 1979 (73/43). There was a small spread of five degrees in 2005 (67/62).

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was 58 with the record low of 29. In 1989 the high was 54 with a low of 37. In 1983 the high was 56 with a low of 35. In 1981 the high was 63 with a low of 35. In 1992 the high was 59 with a low of 40. The other cold low was 39 in 2002. The other cool high was 59 in 1990. The record coolest high of 51 occurred back in 1928, a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 23 of the last 32 lows (72%) were in the: 40s (13) and 50s (10). The last 40s low was 48 in 2003. Five lows were in the cold: 20s (1) and 30s (4). The last 30s low was 39 in 2002. Four lows were in the warm 60s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:13 and sunrise is at 6:41. Sunset is at 18:49 and twilight ends at 19:17. There's a total of 12 hours, 8 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 4 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:15 and sunrise is at 6:43. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 23% at midnight, will be 19% at noon and 15% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 2:04 this morning. Moonset is at 16:23 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 3:16 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 19 minutes which is 33 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Warm Fall began September 22 (yesterday) 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 17 days.

September 23: ORD

Today is September 23rd. It's the 266th day of the year. 99 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 71 and the normal low is 51. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 69 and 48.

On the hot side, there were no days of a mean of at least 11.5 degrees above normal. The hot highs were 85 in 2004 and 84 three years ago. The other 80s were 82 two years ago and 80 in 1999. The record high of 91 was set in 1937. The warmest low was 64 in 1986. Lows of 62 occurred last year and in 2005. The record warmest low of 71 occurred in 1891, a time when the official readings were taken on the lakefront. Over the last 31 years, 22 highs (71%) were in the: 60s (13) and 70s (9). Four highs have been in the warmer 80s and five highs were in the cooler 50s. The last 50s high occurred 15 years ago as 58 in 1995. The forecast for today is for a high of 88. This will likely be O'Hare's warmest 9/23 on record.

In looking back through the years to the first September at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 68 with a cool low of 36, a 32 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 60 with a cold low of 28, a 32 degree spread. That low of 28 was cooler than the record low. In 1968 the low was a warm 63. In 1966 the high was 73 with a low of 42, a 31 degree spread. In 1960 the high was 67 with a low of 61, a small six degree spread.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees three years ago (84/50), 31 degrees in 2004 (85/54), 30 degrees in 2002 (69/39) and 30 degrees in 1979 (73/43). There was a small spread of five degrees in 2005 (67/62).

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was 58 with the record low of 29. In 1989 the high was 54 with a low of 37. In 1983 the high was 56 with a low of 35. In 1981 the high was 63 with a low of 35. In 1992 the high was 59 with a low of 40. Another cool low was 39 in 2002. Another cool high was 59 in 1990. The record coolest high of 51 occurred back in 1928, a time when the official readings were taken on the lakefront. 23 of the last 31 lows (74%) were: 40s (13) and 50s (10). Five lows were in the cooler: 20s (1) and 30s (4). Three lows were in the warmer 60s. The last low in the 30s was 39 degrees in 2002.

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 18:49 and twilight ends at 19:17. There's a total of 12 hours, 7 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 3 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:15 and sunrise is at 6:43. The moon reaches the full Harvest moon at 4:17 this morning. And since the autumnal equinox was last night at 22:09, this Harvest moon is a Super Harvest moon. This happens once every 19 years. Illumination was 100% at midnight, will be 100% at noon and 99% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 7:01 this morning. Moonrise is at 18:35 tonight. Moonset is at 8:01 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 26 minutes which is 37 minutes longer than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in 18 days. -Bernie-

September 23: ORD

Today is September 23rd. It's the 266th day of the year. 99 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 71 and the normal low is 51. I've calculated the 30-year averages at 69 and 48.

On the hot side, there were no days of a mean of at least 11.5 degrees above normal. The hot highs were 85 in 2004 and 84 two years ago. The record high of 91 was set in 1937. Our warm low was 64 in 1986. The record warmest low of 71 occurred in 1891, a time when the official readings were taken on the lakefront. Over the last 30 years, 21 highs were in the: 60s (13) and 70s (8). Four highs have been in the warmer 80s. Five 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 high was 68 with a low of 36 (cooler than normal), a 32 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 72 with a low of 42, a 30 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 60 with a low of 28, a 32 degree spread. That low of 28 was cooler than the record low. In 1966 the high was 73 with a low of 42, a 31 degree spread. In 1960 the high was 67 with a low of 61, a six degree spread.

More recently, there were large spreads of 34 degrees two years ago (84/50), 31 degrees in 2004 (85/54), 30 degrees in 2002 (69/39) and 30 degrees in 1979 (73/43). There was a small spread of five degrees in 2005 (67/62).

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was 58 with the record low of 29. In 1989 the high was 54 with a low of 37. In 1983 the high was 56 with a low of 35. In 1981 the high was 63 with a low of 35. In 1992 the high was 59 with a low of 40. Another cool low was 39 in 2002. Another cool high was 59 in 1990. The record coolest high of 51 occurred back in 1928, a time when the official readings were taken on the lakefront. 23 of the last 30 lows were: 40s (13) and 50s (10). Five lows were in the cooler: 20s (1) and 30s (4). Two lows were in the warmer 60s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:14 and sunrise is at 6:42. Sunset is at 18:48 and twilight ends at 19:16. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:15 and sunrise is at 6:43. There's a total of 12 hours, 6 minutes of daylight today (three minutes less than yesterday) and 13 hours, 2 minutes between twilights. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 23% at midnight, will be 27% at noon and 32% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 12:23. Moonset is at 21:19 tonight. Moonlight time is 8 hours, 56 minutes which is 23 minutes shorter than yesterday.

The autumnal equinox was yesterday afternoon at 16:18. -Bernie-

September 23: ORD

Today is September 23rd. It's the 267th day of the year. 99 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 71 and the normal low is 51. The 29-year averages are 68 and 47.

On the warm side, in 2004 the high was 85 with a low of 54 (a 31 degree spread). In 1986 the high was 73 with a low of 64. Last year the high was 84 with a low of 50 (a 34 degree spread). Other warm highs were 80 in 1999 and 77 in 1987. Other warm lows were 62 in 2005 and 59 in 1984. The record high of 91 was set in 1937 and the record warmest low of 71 was set way back in 1891. 21 of the 29 highs have been in the 60s (13) and 70s (8). There have been no highs below 65 degrees (from 1996 onward): the last 12 years running.

Other large spreads (differences of 30 degrees or more between the daily high and low) were: 30 degrees in both 1979 (73/43) and 2002 (69/39). A small spread of five degrees occurred in 2005 when the high was 67 and the low was 62.

On the cool side, in 1995 the high was 58 with the record low of 29. In 1983 the high was 56 with a low of 35. In 1989 the high was 54 with a low of 37. In 1981 the high was 63 with a low of 35. In 1992 the high was 59 with a low of 40. In 1990 the high was 59 with a low of 41. Another cool low was 39 in 2002. The record coolest high of 51 was set in 1928. 22 of the last 29 lows have been 40s (13) and 50s (9).

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 18:48 and twilight ends at 19:16. Twilight begins tomorrow at 6:15 and sunrise is at 6:43. There's a total of 12 hours, 6 minutes of daylight today and 13 hours, 2 minutes between twilights. The moon is waning crescent, having passed last quarter yesterday at 4 minutes past midnight. Illumination was 38% at midnight, will be 33% at noon and 28% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 2 minutes past midnight. Moonset is at 15:54 this afternoon and moonrise is at 1:17 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 15 hours, 52 minutes today. The autumnal equinox was yesterday at 10:44.

The following events are all 20 days away on October 13th: Columbus Day, my parents' 46th wedding anniversary and a brother-in-law, Buddy, will be turning 33. -Bernie-