January 17: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 30 and 15.

On the warm side, in 1996 the high was 56 with a low of 37. A decade earlier, in 1986, the high was 54 with a low of 37. Four years later, in 1990, the high was 55 with a low of 35. A decade before, in 1980, the high was 44 with a low of 35. In 1989 the high was 45 with a low of 30. A year earlier, in 1988, the high was 41 with a low of 33. In 1995 the high was 43 with a low of 30. Three years ago, in 2006, the high was 43 with a low of 27. The record high of 60 was set way back in 1894 and the record warmest low of 42 was set in 1973. Another warm high was 41 in 1999. Another warm low was 28 in 2004. 23 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (11), 30s (6) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, three highs were 50s. On the colder side, five highs were: 10s (3) and single digits (2).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 4 with a low of -12, a cold day. In 1976 the high was 15 with a low of 1, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 36 with a low of 31, a five degree spread and warm day. In 1973 the high was 57 with a low of 43, a warm day. In 1969 the high was 37 with a low of 35, a two degree spread and warm day. In 1967 the high was 14 with a low of -6, a cold day. In 1966 high was 10 with a low of -6, a cold day. In 1965 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1963 the high was 26 with a low of -12, a 38 degree spread and cold. In 1962 the high was 2 with a low of -4, a six degree spread and also a cold day. In 1961 the high was 49 with a low of 28, a warm day. In 1959 the high was 11 with a low of -1, a cold one.

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

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was the former record coldest high of 4 with the record low of -23. Other lows in 1982 were as follows: Rockford: -25, Barrington and Marengo: -22, Elgin: -20, Wheaton, DeKalb and Waukegan: -18 and Midway: -17. In 1997 the high was the record coldest high of 3 with a low of -9. Three years earlier, in 1994, the high was 10 with a low of -13. In 2005 the high was 11 with a low of 2. In 1984 the high was 12 with a low of 2. 28 of the last 30 lows were: single digits (10), 10s (7), 20s (4) and 30s (7). Three lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative tens (1) and negative single digits (1).

The following pertains to last year (2009): And now a word about the past three days at O'Hare. All of them make the list of the coldest. On the 14th, this was the fourth coldest of the past 31 years as the high was 14 with a low of -2, 15 degrees below normal. On the 15th, this was the second coldest of the past 31 years. The high was -1 with a low of -13, 28 degrees below normal. It was only the second day of a high in the negative single digits. Only 1994 was slightly colder as the high that year was -4 with a low of -17. Other locations were colder. At DeKalb: -20; Aurora: -18; St.Charles, Lemont, South Elgin: -17; Joliet: -16; Elgin: -15. I had a reading on my cell phone, from The Weather Channel, of -17 in Crystal Lake and -16 in Bartlett. Yesterday (the 16th) was the second coldest of the past 31 years. The high was 3 with a low of -18, 28.5 degrees below normal. It was only the second day of a high in the single digits and it was the coldest high at O'Hare of the past 31 years. That low of -18 fell seven degrees short of equaling the record low set in 1982. In 1982 the high was 8 with a low of -25, 29.5 degrees below normal. On all of these days, the readings were colder in the outlying suburbs. And believe me, it was what we call "frickin' cold" yesterday morning. Here in northeast Illinois, Rockford was -25 at 6:51. This was a new record. In Romeoville, where the National Weather Service has been located since 1992, the low was -24 and the coldest since they've been there. Other locations: Barrington: -23, McHenry: -23, West Chicago: -22, Batavia: -22, St.Charles: -22, Elgin: -21, Joliet: -21, Park Forest: -19, O'Hare: -18, Midway: -17, Waukegan: -17, Wheeling: -15 and at Chicago's lakefront: -11. I had a reading on my cell phone, from The Weather Channel, of -21 in both Crystal Lake and Bartlett and -17 at the same time in Chicago on the west side. Now at Aurora airport in Sugar Grove, the low was -31. Tom Skilling of the WGN-TV news frequently states that the thermometer at the Aurora airport sits in a small valley and that's why they always have readings a bit colder than the rest of the Chicago area. At Dixon, which is west, southwest of DeKalb and just north of I-88, it was -32. At Polo, which is just a little north, northwest of Dixon, it was also -32. At Rochelle, which is between DeKalb and Dixon just north of I-88, it was -28. At Shabbona, which is south of I-88 but in a north/south line between DeKalb and Rochelle, it was -26. At Paw Paw, which is the next town southwest of Shabbona, it was -22. As indicated on the WGN-TV blog, we went 45 straight hours of zero or below zero chill. These readings courtesy of the National Weather Service's web site.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. Sunset is at 16:49 and twilight ends at 17:20. There's a total of 9 hours, 30 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 32 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:47 and sunrise is at 7:18. The moon is waxing crescent. Illumination was 3% at midnight, will be 5% at noon and 8% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 8:23 and moonset is at 19:24 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 1 minute which is 37 minutes longer than yesterday.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is tomorrow. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in a week. -Bernie-

January 16: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 31 and 14.

On the warm side, in 1980 the high was 56 with a low of 42. The record warmest low is 42, set back in 1913. Since the official station in 1980 was Midway and not O'Hare, this low of 42 in 1980 is not considered the official record warmest low. It actually missed being the record by a single day! A decade later, in 1990, the high was the record high of 57 with a low of 36. A couple of years earlier, in 1988, the high was 46 with a low of 32. In 2006 the high was 47 with a low of 30. Two decades before, in 1986, the high was 50 with a low of 18, a 32 degree spread. In 1995 the high was 36 with a low of 31, a five degree spread. A year later, in 1996, the high was 43 with a low of 22. Another warm high was 42 in 1989. Other warm lows were 26 in both 1998 and 2001. 23 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (9), 30s (8) and 40s (6). On the warmer side, three highs were 50s. On the colder side, three highs were 10s (aka teens) and two highs were in the single digits (3 last year and 8 in 1982).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was a cold 16 degrees. In 1977 the high was -4 with a low of -17, a cold day. The record coldest high of -7 was set this year (1977). It's unusual that Midway had a lower reading than O'Hare. In 1974 the high was 42 with a low of 31, a warm day. In 1973 the high was 50 with a low of 33, another warm day. In 1972 the high was 15 with a low of -13, a cold day. In 1969 the high was 37 with a low of 34, a three degree spread. In 1966 the low was a cold 1 degree. In 1965 the low was zero. In 1963 the high was 17 with a low of -12, a very cold day. In 1962 the high was 14 with a low of zero, a cold day. In 1961 the high was 31 with a low of 27, a four degree spread. In 1959 the high was 12 with a low of 1, a cold day.

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

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was 8 with the record low of -25, a 33 degree spread. Other lows in 1982 were as follows: Rockford: -24, DeKalb and Marengo: -17, Midway, Elgin and Barrington: -16, Wheaton: -15. Last year the high was 3 with a low of -18. That high of 3 was the coldest high of the last 31 years. In 1994 the high was 10 with a low of -16. A decade earlier, in 1984, the high was 18 with a low of -6. In 1992 the high was 27 with a low of -12, a 39 degree spread. In 2005 the high was 14 with a low of 3. In 1979 the high was 24 with a low of -7, a 31 degree spread. A couple of locations in 1979 were a lot colder than Midway's -7. They were -24 at Elgin and -21 at Rockford. In 1997 the high was 22 with a low of -4. The record coldest high of -7 was set in 1977. 11 of the last 31 lows were 20s. 15 lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative 10s (3), negative single digits (3), single digits (3) and 10s (aka teens)(5). Five lows were warmer: 30s (4) and 40s (1).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. Sunset is at 16:48 and twilight ends at 17:18. There's a total of 9 hours, 29 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 30 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. The moon is waxing crescent, having passed new yesterday morning at 1:11. Illumination was 1% at midnight, will be 2% at noon and 3% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 7:59 and moonset is at 18:23. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 24 minutes which is 34 minutes longer than yesterday.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in two days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in eight days. -Bernie-

January 15: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 28 and 12.

On the warm side, in 1990 the high was 53 with a low of 27. A decade earlier, in 1980, the high was 47 with a low of 32. In 2006 the high was 45 with a low of 27. Six years earlier, in 2000, the high was 42 with a low of 26. Five years before that, in 1995, the high was 36 with a low of 30, a six degree spread. Six years after that, in 2001, the high was 35 with a low of 31, a four degree spread. Other warm lows were 30 in 2002 and 27 in 1987. The record high of 60 was set in 1949 and the record warmest low of 40 was set way back in 1894. 20 of the last 31 highs were 20s (9) and 30s (11). On the warmer side, four highs were: 40s (3) and 50s (1). On the colder side, five highs were in the 10s (aka teens) and two negative single digits. Last year's high was minus 1, rivaling 1994's minus 4.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 18 with a cold low of -1, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 18 with a cold low of -10. In 1976 the high was 37 with a low of 7, a 30 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 40 with a warm low of 28, a warm day. In 1973 the high was 36 with a low of 33, a three degree spread and warm day. In 1972 the high was -9 with a low of -17, a very cold day. 1972 was the year of the record coldest high of -5 at Midway. That high of -9 was colder than the record, but O'Hare was not the official station of record for Chicago in 1972. In 1965 the high was 21 with a low of 15, a six degree spread. In 1963 the high was 0 with a low of -19, another very cold day. That low of -19 at O'Hare equals the record low of -19 set at Midway Airport in 1979. In 1961 the high was 34 with a low of 30, a four degree spread. In 1959 the high was 34 with a cold low of 1, a 33 degree spread.

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

On the cold side, in 1994 the high was -4 with a low of -17. Fifteen years later, in 2009, the high was -1 with a low of -13. Thirty years earlier, in 1979, the high was 11 with a low of -17. Three years later, in 1982, the high was 14 with a low of -9. Another three years later, in 1985, the high was 13 with a low of -4. In 1992 the high was 20 with a low of -10. In 1984 the high was 17 with a low of 0. Twenty-one years later, in 2005, the high was 15 with a low of 4. The record low of -19 was set at Midway in 1979. The record coldest high of -5 was set in 1972 (also at Midway). Other lows in 1979 were -17 at O'Hare, -20 at Barrington and Wheaton, -21 at NIU in DeKalb, -22 west of Crystal Lake at Marengo and -24 at Rockford and Elgin. 21 of the last 31 lows were: single digits (5), 10s (6) and 20s (10). Six lows were colder: negative 10s (4) and negative single digits (2). Four lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. Sunset is at 16:46 and twilight ends at 17:17. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are a minute earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 26 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 28 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:48 and sunrise is at 7:19. The moon reaches new today at 1:11. Illumination was 0% at midnight, will be 0% at noon and 1% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 7:31 and moonset is at 17:21. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 50 minutes which is 29 minutes longer than yesterday.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in three days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in nine days. -Bernie-

January 14: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 29 and 15.

On the warm side, in 1987 the high was 45 with a low of 30. In 1996 the high was 47 with a low of 28. Six years earlier, in 1990, the high was 45 with a low of 29. Five years later, in 1995, the high was 39 with a low of 35, a four degree spread. Seven years later, in 2002, the high was 40 with a low of 30. A year before that (2001) the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. Five years later, in 2006, the high was 37 with a low of 28. Another warm high was 41 in 1980. Other warm lows were 30 three years ago and 26 in 1983. The record high of 60 was set back in 1928 and the record warmest low of 41 was set in 1953. 21 of the last 31 highs were 20s (11) and 30s (10). On the warmer side, five highs were 40s. On the colder side, five highs were: 10s (aka teens) (3) and single digits (2).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1975 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1972 the high was 14 with a low of -10, a cold day. In 1970 the high was 25 with a low of 21, a four degree spread. In 1969 the high was 27 with a low of 23, a four degree spread. In 1968 the high was 35 with a low of 31, a four degree spread and warm day. In 1967 the low was a warm 26 degrees. In 1965 the high was 15 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1963 the high was 7 with a low of -12, a cold day. In 1962 the high was 33 with a low of 28, a five degree spread. In 1960 the high was 38 with a low of 34, a four degree spread and warm day. In 1959 the high was 41 with a low of 32, a warm day.

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

On the cold side, in 1994 the high was the record coldest high of 1 with a low of -10. The former record coldest high of 2 occurred way back in 1905. In 1982 the high was 9 with a low of -10. Three years earlier, in 1979, the high was 21 with a low of -12. The record low of -14 was set this same year (1979) at Midway. Usually the low at O'Hare would be colder than at Midway, so this is a bit unusual. In 2009 the high was 14 with a low of -2. In 1997 the high was 20 with a low of -3. In 2005 the high was 15 with a low of 4. Another cold low was 0 in 1988. 21 of the last 31 lows were: single digits (6), 10s (aka teens) (7) and 20s (8). Five lows were in the colder: negative 10s (3) and negative single digits (2). Five lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. Sunset is at 16:45 and twilight ends at 17:16. Chicago's sunset and end of twilight times are a minute earlier. There's a total of 9 hours, 25 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 27 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. The moon is waning crescent, heading towards new early tomorrow morning at 1:11. Illumination was 1% at midnight, will be 0% at noon and 0% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 6:58 and moonset is at 16:19. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 21 minutes which is 21 minutes longer than yesterday.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in four days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in ten days. -Bernie-

January 13: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 32 and 17.

On the warm side, in 2006 the high was 49 with a low of 32. In 1995 the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread. In 1987 the high was 44 with a low of 24. In 2001 the high was 36 with a low of 32, a four degree spread. In 1980 the high was 39 with a low of 28. In 2002 the high was 42 with a low of 24. In 1996 the high was 44 with a low of 21. Another warm high was 47 in 2005. Other warm lows were 29 three years ago and 27 two years ago. The record high of 58 and record warmest low of 44 were both set back in 1932. 16 of the last 31 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, five highs were 40s. On the colder side, eight highs were 20s and two highs were 10s.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1977 the low was a cold -2 degrees. In 1975 the high was a cold 12 with a low of 3, a cold day. In 1974 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1971 the high was 33 with a low of 28, a five degree spread. In 1967 the high was 45 with a low of 29, a warm day. In 1965 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1963 the high was 10 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1961 the high was 52 with a low of 29, a warm day and rare 50s high. In 1960 the high was 53 with a low of 37, a warm day and rare 50s high. In 1959 the high was a warm 41 degrees.

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

On the cold side, in 1997 the high was 10 with a low of -4. A year later, in 1998, the high was 15 with a low of -1. Other cold lows were 1 in 1994 and -2 last year. The record low of -9 was set back in 1929. The record coldest high of -2 was set way back in 1893. 21 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (12) and 20s (9). Seven lows were in the colder: negative single digits (3) and single digits (4). Three lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. Sunset is at 16:44 and twilight ends at 17:15. Chicago's sunset is at 16:43 and twilight ends at 17:13. There's a total of 9 hours, 24 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 26 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 4% at midnight, will be 2% at noon and 1% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 6:19 and moonset is at 15:19. Moonlight time is exactly 9 hours which is 11 minutes longer than yesterday.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in five days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 11 days. -Bernie-

January 12: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 34 and 18.

On the warm side, in 2005 the high was the record high of 62 with a low of 34. A year later the high was 57 with a low of 34. In 1995 the high was 47 with a low of 37. Three years ago the high was 48 with a low of 33. Fifteen years before, in 1992, the high was 40 with a low of 34, a six degree spread. A decade later, in 2002, the high was 41 with a low of 29. Fifteen years before, in 1987, the high was 44 with a low of 25. In 2004 the high was 39 with a low of 30. Other warm highs were 42 in 1989 and 41 last year. Other warm lows were 27 in 2000 and 26 in 1996. The record warmest low of 42 was set way back in 1890. 26 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (8), 30s (10) and 40s (8). On the warmer side, one high was in the 50s and one high was in the 60s. On the colder side, two highs were 10s and one high was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1977 the high was 4 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1975 the high was a cold 12 with a low of 5, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 4 with a low of -13, another cold day. In 1972 the high was a warm 43. In 1969 the high was 16 with a low of -5, a cold day. In 1968 the high was 26 with a low of 20, a six degree spread. In 1967 the low was a warm 28. In 1964 the high was 23 with a low of 19, a four degree spread. In 1963 the low was a cold two below zero. In 1961 the high was a warm 46 with a low of 26, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 58 with a low of 37, a warm day.

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

On the cold side, in 1997 the high was the record coldest high of 2 with a low of -7. A dozen years prior, in 1985, the high was 14 with a low of -1. Three years before that, in 1982, the high and low were also 14 and -1. Another cold low was -1 in 1981. The record low of -14 was set back in 1918. 24 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (9), 20s (9) and 30s (6). Seven lows were colder: negative single digits (4) and single digits (3).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. Sunset is at 16:43 and twilight ends at 17:14. In Chicago, sunset is at 16:41 and twilight ends at 17:12. There's a total of 9 hours, 22 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 24 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:49 and sunrise is at 7:20. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 8% at midnight, will be 6% at noon and 4% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 5:32 and moonset is at 14:21. Moonlight time is 8 hours, 49 minutes, three minutes shorter than yesterday and the shortest time of the next several days.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in six days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 12 days. -Bernie-

January 11: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 31 and 17.

On the warm side, three years ago the high was 45 with a low of 35. A year earlier, in 2006, the high was 42 with a low of 37. In 2002 the high was 43 with a low of 33. In 1990 the high was 42 with a low of 32. Two years later, in 1992, the high was 45 with a low of 25. A dozen years before, in 1980, the high was 54 with a low of 15. In 1989 the high was 44 with a low of 25. Other warm lows were 30 in 2005, 29 in 2000, 28 in 2008, 27 in 2004 and 26 in 1991. The record high of 61 was set way back in 1880 and the record warmest low of 40 was set way back in 1890. 25 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (7), 30s (10) and 40s (8). On the warmer side, one highs was in the 50s (54 in 1980). On the colder side, three highs were 10s and two highs were single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 18 with a cold low of -6, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 5 with a low of -11, a cold day. 1977 was the year of the record low (also -11 at Midway). In 1975 the high was a warm 45 with a low of 6, a 39 degree spread. In 1969 the high was 13 with a low of -4, a cold day. In 1968 the high was 26 with a low of 20, a six degree spread. In 1963 the high was 30 with a low of 26, a four degree spread. In 1962 the high was 8 with a low of -13, another cold day. In 1961 the high was a warm 46 with a low of 23, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 37 with a low of 30, a seven degree spread and warm day.

More recently, we had five days of small spreads. One was four degrees: 28/24 in 1996. Three others were six degrees: 32/26 in 1991, 29/23 in 1993 and 36/30 in 2005. The most recent was last year at seven degrees: 20/13.

On the cold side, in 1979 the high was 13 with a low -16. The official record low of -11 was set in 1977 because the low at Midway in 1979 was just a degree short at -10. Other area temperatures in 1979 were: -24 at Rockford, -20 at Aurora, -26 at Barrington, -22 at DeKalb, -18 at Elgin, -29 at Marengo (just west of Crystal Lake) and -25 at Wheaton. In 1982 the high was the record coldest high of 4 with a low of -4. Fifteen years later, in 1997, the high was 6 with a low of -4. Two years after that, in 1999, the high was 13 with a low of -3. In 1981 the high was 14 with a low of -2. Three years later, in 1984, the high was 21 with a low of -2. 13 of the last 31 lows were 20s. 13 lows were colder: negative 10s (1), negative single digits (5), single digits (3) and tens (4). Five lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. Sunset is at 16:42 and twilight ends at 17:13. There's a total of 9 hours, 21 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 23 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 15% at midnight, will be 11% at noon and 8% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 4:37 and moonset is at 13:29. Moonlight time is 8 hours, 52 minutes, 17 minutes shorter than yesterday.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in a week. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 13 days. -Bernie-

January 10: ORD

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

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 29 and 15.

On the warm side, in 2000 the high was 46 with a low of 37. Two years later, in 2002, the high was 44 with a low of 34. In 1983 the high was 41 with a low of 35, a six degree spread. Two years ago the high was 44 with a low of 32. In 1980 the high was 52 with a low of 16, a thirty-six degree spread. Other warm lows were 29 (1987, 1990, 2005). Both records were established in 1975. That year saw a high of 60 with a low of 42. 20 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (8) and 30s (12). On the warmer side, five highs were 40s and one was a 50s high. On the colder side, four highs were 10s, one high was in the single digits and one high was in the negative single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 8 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 19 with a cold low of -2, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 60 with a low of 41. Midway's high was also 60 (the record) but at Midway the low was a degree higher at 42, the record warmest low. In 1973 the high was 19 with a cold low of 0, a cold day. In 1972 the high was 46 with a low of 31, a warm day. In 1970 the high was 17 with a low of -4, a cold day. In 1969 the high was 15 with a low of -3, another cold day. In 1963 the high was 38 with a warm low of 30, a warm day. In 1962 the high was 4 with a low of -15, a cold day. In 1961 the high was a warm 41 degrees. In 1960 the high was 38 with a warm low of 29, a warm day.

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

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was the record coldest high of -4 with the record low of -26. The low at Rockford was -27. Three years earlier, in 1979, the high was 2 with a low of -13. In 1988 the high was 15 with a low of -12. A decade and a year later, in 1999, the high was 14 with a low of -2. In 1981 the high was 16 with a low of -2. In 1984 the high was 20 with a low of -4. Another cold high was 17 in 1998. 19 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (10) and 20s (9). Eight lows were colder: negative 20s (1), negative 10s (2), negative single digits (3) and single digits (2). Four lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. Sunset is at 16:41 and twilight ends at 17:12. There's a total of 9 hours, 20 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 22 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 22% at midnight, will be 18% at noon and 15% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 3:35 and moonset is at 12:44. Moonrise is at 4:37 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 9 minutes which is 27 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in eight days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in two weeks. -Bernie-

January 9: ORD

Today is January 9th. It's the 9th day of the year. 356 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 30 and 16.

On the warm side, in 2002 the high was 55 with a low of 38. Two years prior, in 2000, the high was 41 with a low of 37, a four degree spread. A decade earlier, in 1990, the high was 42 with a low of 34. Two years later, in 1992, the high was 44 with a low of 32. In 2003 the high was 45 with a low of 28. Three years after that (and three years ago) the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread. Two years ago the high was 39 with a low of 30. Twenty-five years earlier, in 1983, the high was 43 with a low of 24. Another warm low was 26 in 2005. The record high of 60 was set way back in 1880 and the record warmest low of 45 was set in 1939. 19 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (10) and 30s (9). On the warmer side, six highs were warmer and six were colder. On the warmer side, five highs were 40s and one high was in the 50s. On the colder side, four highs were 10s and two highs were single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 3 with a low of -5, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 19 with a cold low of 0, a cold day. In 1976 the high was 11 with a low of 0, another cold day. In 1975 the high was 42 with a low of 33, a warm day. In 1973 the high was a cold 13 with a low of 3, a cold day. In 1972 the high was 44 with a low of 35, a warm day. In 1970 the high was 15 with a low of -1, a cold day. In 1969 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1966 the high was a warm 43. In 1963 the high was 40 with a warm low of 33, a seven degree spread and a warm day. In 1962 the high was -1 with a low of -13, another cold day and year of the record coolest high. In 1960 the low was a warm 26 degrees.

More recently, we had a small spreads of four degrees in 1997 (28/24) and seven degrees in 1993 (28/21).

On the cold side, in 1982 the high was 7 with a low of -19. Six years later, in 1988, the high was 7 with a low of -8. In 1999 the high was 12 with a low of -4. Two decades earlier, in 1979, the high was 16 with a low of -3. Fifteen years later, in 1994, the high was 24 with a low of -7, a 31 degree spread. The record low of -20 was set way back in 1875 and the record coldest high of 0 was set in 1962. 23 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (9), 20s (8) and 30s (6). Eight lows were colder: negative single digits (4), single digits (3) and that one low of -19 (of what I call 'the negative 10s').

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:40 and twilight ends at 17:11. There's a total of 9 hours, 18 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 21 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:21. The moon is waning crescent. Last quarter was two days ago at 4:39. Illumination was 31% at midnight, will be 27% at noon and 22% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 2:30 and moonset was at 12:06. Moonrise is at 3:35 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 9 hours, 36 minutes which is 36 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in northern Illinois. Back in 1930 at Rockford, 10 inches of snow accumulated.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in nine days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 15 days. -Bernie-

January 8: ORD

Today is January 8th. It's the 8th day of the year. 357 days remain. It's week 2 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 29 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 30 and 15.

On the warm side, two years ago the high was 56 with a low of 37. Five years prior, in 2003, the high was 54 with a low of 37. In 1992 the high was 44 with a low of 35. In 2006 the high was 45 with a low of 32. In 1990 the high was 47 with a low of 28. A decade later, in 2000, the high was 45 with a low of 29. Two years before, in 1998, the high was 35 with a low of 32, a three degree spread. Another warm high was 41 in 2002. Other warm lows were 26 in 1983 and 2007. The record high of 63 was set in 1965 and the record warmest low of 45 was set way back in 1876. 18 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (11) and 30s (7). On the warmer side, seven highs were: 40s (5) and 50s (2). On the colder side, six highs were: single digits (2) and 10s (aka teens) (4).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 35 with a low of 2, a 33 degree spread. In 1977 the high was 19 with a cold low of 1, a cold day. In 1976 the high was 4 with a low of -9, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 43 with a low of 35, a warm day. In 1974 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1972 the high was a warm 43 degrees. In 1971 the low was a cold -1 degree. In 1970 the high was 0 with a low of -4, a spread of four degrees and a cold day. In 1968 the high was 15 with a low of -6, a cold day. In 1966 the high was 20 with a cold low of 1, a cold day. In 1965 the high was a warm 60 with a low of 17, a 43 degree spread and warm day. A high in the 60s does not occur very often on January 8th. In fact, this was the day of the record high (63 at Midway). In 1963 the high was 43 with a low of 30, a warm day. In 1962 the high was 17 with a low of -1, a cold day.

More recently, we had a small spreads of three degrees in 2005 (27/24) and seven degrees in 1987 (32/25).

On the cold side, in 1979 the high was 6 with a low of -10. In 1994 the high was 9 with a low of -6. In 1986 the high was 17 with a low of -8. Two years later, in 1988, the high was 19 with a low of -3. Six years before that, in 1982, the high was 20 with a low of -3. Another cold high was 17 in 1980. The record low of -11 was set in 1942. The record coldest high of 0 was set in 1970. 21 of the last 31 lows were: single digits (7), 10s (aka teens) (6) and 20s (8). Five lows were in the colder: negative 10s (1) and negative single digits (4). Five lows were in the warmer 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:39 and twilight ends at 17:10. There's a total of 9 hours, 17 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 20 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Chicago's sunset is at 16:37 and twilight ends at 17:08. The moon is waning crescent. Last quarter was yesterday at 4:39. Illumination was 42% at midnight, will be 36% at noon and 31% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 1:21 and moonset is at 11:33. Moonset is at 2:30 early tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 12 minutes which is 41 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in ten days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 16 days. -Bernie-

January 7: ORD

Today is January 7th. It's the 7th day of the year. 358 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 30 and 15.

On the warm side, two years ago the high was the record high of 65 with the record warmest low of 51. The former record high of 59 occurred in 1907 and the former record warmest low of 44 occurred in 1965. In 1989 the high was 53 with a low of 22, a 31 degree spread. In 1998 the high was 40 with a low of 35, a five degree spread. In 2003 the high was 47 with a low of 26. In 1990 the high was 42 with a low of 28. A couple of years after that, in 1992, the high was 37 with a low of 33, a four degree spread. Five years before that, in 1987, the high was 37 with a low of 31, a six degree spread. Two decades after that (and three years ago), in 2007, the high was 41 with a low of 27. A year before that, in 2006, the high was 39 with a low of 28. Other warm lows were 30 in 1985 and 27 in 1983. 19 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (12) and 30s (7). On the warmer side, four highs were 40s, one high was in the 50s and one high was in the 60s. On the colder side, three highs were 10s (aka teens) and three highs were single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: In 1978 the high was 39 with a low of 34, a five degree spread. In 1977 the high was 11 with a low of 0, a cold day. In 1976 the high was 31 with a low of -3, a 34 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 40 with a warm low of 31. In 1974 the high was 9 with a low of -1, a cold day. In 1971 the high was 11 with a low of -3, a cold day. In 1970 the high was 5 with a low of -10, another cold day. In 1969 the high was a cold 15 degrees. In 1968 the high was 5 with a low of -13, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 55 with a low of 44, a warm day and rare 50s high! In 1961 the high was 40 with a warm low of 29. In 1960 the high was 41 with a warm low of 31.

More recently, we had a small spread of three degrees in 1985 (33/30) and a large spread of 32 degrees in 1994 (28/-4).

On the cold side, in 1986 the high was 9 with a low of -9. In 1999 the high was 9 with a low of -7. In 1982 the high was 8 with a low of -6. In 1988 the high was 14 with a low of -9. In 1979 the high was 16 with a low of -3. A couple of years after that, in 1981, the high was 16 with a low of 4. Another cold low was -4 in 1994. The record low of -16 was set back in 1912. The record coldest high of -4 was set in 1942. 30 of the last 31 lows were: negative single digits (6), single digits (5), 10s (aka teens) (7), 20s (8) and 30s (4). One low was in the 50s but no lows were in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:38 and twilight ends at 17:09. There's a total of 9 hours, 16 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 18 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon reaches last quarter today at 4:39. Illumination was 52% at midnight, will be 47% at noon and 42% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 11 minutes past midnight and moonset is at 11:04. Moonrise is at 1:21 early tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 53 minutes which is 16 minutes longer than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. In 1962, 2.1 inches fell. This was the third day of a three day, 11 inch snowstorm.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in 11 days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 17 days. -Bernie-

January 6: ORD

Today is January 6th. It's the 6th day of the year. 359 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 14. The 31-year averages are 31 and 18.

On the warm side, two years ago the high was the record high of 60 with the record warmest low of 41. The former record high of 54 and former record warmest low of 40 both occurred in 1907. A decade earlier, in 1998, the high was 47 with a low of 39. In 1987 the high was 48 with a low of 34. A couple of years later, in 1989, the high was 37 with a low of 34, a three degree spread. Three years ago, in 2007, the high was 42 with a low of 29. Fifteen years before that, in 1992, the high was 37 with a low of 32, a five degree spread. In 1983 the high was 41 with a low of 27. In 2000 the high was 41 with a low of 26. Other warm lows were 28 in 2006 and 26 (1985, 1994, 2003). 14 of the last 31 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, five highs were 40s and one high was in the 60s. No 50s highs. On the colder side, seven highs were 20s, two highs were 10s and two highs were in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1978 the high was 37 with a low of 34, a three degree spread. In 1975 the high was 37 with a low of 33, a four degree spread. In 1974 the high was a cold 18 degrees. In 1973 the high was a cold 18 with a low of 3, a cold day. In 1971 the high was 7 with a low of -4, a cold day. In 1970 the high was 8 with a low of -11, another cold day. In 1968 the high was 13 with a low of -3, a cold day. In 1967 the high was 43 with a low of 27, a warm day. In 1966 the high was 31 with a low of 26, a five degree spread. In 1965 the high was 49 with a low of 32, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 29 with a low of 24, a five degree spread. In 1961 the high was 44 with a low of 30, a warm day. In 1959 the low was a cold 1 degree.

More recently, we had small spreads of three degrees in 2006 (31/28), seven degrees in 1994 (33/26) and seven degrees in 2003 (33/26).

On the cold side, in 1988 the high was 2 with the record low of -14. In 1979 the high was 10 with a low of -11. In 2004 the high was 9 with a low of -3. In 1986 the high was 14 with a low of -3. Another cold low was 2 in 1999. The record coldest high of -1 was set back in 1912. 20 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (11) and 20s (9). On the colder side, two lows each were negative 10s, negative single digits and single digits. On the warmer side, four lows were 30s and one low was in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:37 and twilight ends at 17:08. There's a total of 9 hours, 15 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 17 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waning gibbous, heading towards last quarter tomorrow at 4:39. Illumination was 63% at midnight, will be 58% at noon and 52% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 10:37 and moonrise is at 11 minutes past midnight tonight. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 37 minutes which is 35 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Five years ago, in 2005, 2.4 inches fell. This was the third day of a three day, 9.8 inch snowstorm. In 1962, 8.6 inches fell. This was the second day of a three day, 11 inch snowstorm. In 1918 at the U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, a whopping 14.4 inches fell today. That was 92 years ago!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in 12 days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 18 days. -Bernie-

January 5: ORD

Today is January 5th. It's the 5th day of the year. 360 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

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

On the warm side, in 1998 the high was the near-record high of 55 with a low of 40. The record high of 56 was set way back in 1890. Three years ago the high was 50 with the near-record warmest low of 42. The record warmest low of 44 was set back in 1946. Two years ago the high was 43 with a low of 35. In 1992 the high was 36 with a low of 34, a two degree spread. In 2006 the high was 37 with a low of 31, a six degree spread. Other warm lows were 30 in 2003 and 28 in 2002. 17 of the last 31 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, two highs were 40s and two highs were 50s. On the colder side, six highs were 20s, two highs were 10s, one high was in the single digits and one high was in the negative single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable. In 1978 the low was a warm 29 degrees. In 1977 the high was 30 with a low of 25, a five degree spread. In 1976 the low was a cold zero. In 1973 the high was a cold 13 with a low of 5, a cold day. In 1972 the high was 10 with a low of -5, a cold day. In 1971 the high was 12 with a low of 0, a cold day. In 1970 the high was 18 with a low of -2, a cold day. In 1969 the high was 21 with a cold low of -4, a cold day. In 1968 the low was a cold -3. In 1966 the high was a warm 49 with a low of 20, a warm day. In 1965 the high was 42 with a low of 31, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 33 with a low of 26, a seven degree spread. In 1962 the high was 40 with a warm low of 32. In 1959 the high was 8 with a low of -13, a cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of two degrees in 2003 (32/30), five degrees in 2005 (31/26), six degrees in 1983 (32/26) and seven degrees in 2002 (35/28).

On the cold side, in 1988 the high was -2 with a low of -11. In 1979 the high was 4 with a low of -11. Two decades later, in 1999, the high was 18 with the near-record low of -16, a 34 degree spread. The record low of -18 was set way back in 1884. Four years earlier, in 1995, the high was 19 with a low of -1. The record coldest high of -5 was set back in 1924. Other cold lows were -2 in 1981, 4 in 1986 and 4 in 2004. 12 of the last 31 lows were 20s. On the colder side, 13 lows were colder: 10s (6), single digits (2), negative single digits (2) and negative 10s (3). On the warmer side, four lows were 30s and two lows were 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:36 and twilight ends at 17:07. There's a total of 9 hours, 14 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 16 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waning gibbous, heading towards last quarter in two days at 4:39. Illumination was 74% at midnight, will be 69% at noon and 63% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 10:12 and moonrise is at 23:00. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 12 minutes today which is 48 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Five years ago, in 2005, 6.2 inches fell. This was the second day of a three day, 9.8 inch snowstorm. In 1962, 0.3 inches fell. This was the first day of a three day, 11 inch snowstorm.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in 13 days. My brother will be celebrating a birthday in 19 days. -Bernie-

January 4: ORD

Today is January 4th. It's the 4th day of the year. 361 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 15. The 31-year averages are 33 and 17.

On the warm side, in 1997 the high was the record high of 64 with a near-record warmest low of 39. A decade later (and three years ago), in 2007, the high was 52 with a near-record warmest low of 39. The record warmest low remains 41 degrees, set back in 1909. In 1998 the high was 56 with a low of 34. In 2006 the high was 43 with a low of 36, a seven degree spread. In 1993 the high was 47 with a low of 31. In 1990 the high was 46 with a low of 25. Two years after that, in 1992, the high was 38 with a low of 32, a six degree spread. Other warm lows were 30 in 2005 and 29 in 2004. 16 of the last 31 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, six highs were: 40s (3), 50s (2) and 60s (1). On the colder side, nine highs were: single digits (4), 10s (aka teens) (1) and 20s (4).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 10 with a low of 1, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 19 with a cold low of -1, a cold day. In 1972 the high was 14 with low of 2, a cold day. In 1971 the high was a warm 43 degrees with a low of 12, a 31 degree spread. In 1970 the low was a cold 3 degrees. In 1969 the high was 3 with a low of -8, a cold day. In 1968 the high was 6 with a low of -7, another cold day. In 1967 the low was a cold 2 degrees. In 1966 high was a warm 45 degrees with a low of 26, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 34 with a warm low of 27, a seven degree spread. in 1962 the high was 42 with a low of 31, a warm day. In 1961 the high was 32 with a low of 1, a 31 degree spread. In 1959 the high was 0 with a low of -10, a cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of four degrees: 1980 (30/26) and 2004 (33/29). Another small spread was five degrees in 2005 (35/30).

On the cold side, in 1981 the high was 5 with a low of -9. In 1999 the high was 5 with a low of -9 as well. In 1979 the high was 4 with a low of -7. In 1995 the high was 7 with a low of -1. In 1988 the high was 19 with a low of -9. Other cold lows were 1 in 1985 and 3 in 1991. 23 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (aka teens) (9), 20s (7) and 30s (7). Eight lows were colder: five lows were negative single digits and three lows were single digits.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:35 and twilight ends at 17:06. There's a total of 9 hours, 13 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 15 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 83% at midnight, will be 79% at noon and 74% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 9:47 and moonrise is at 21:47. Moonlight time is 12 hours which is 47 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Four years ago, in 2005, 1.2 inches fell. This was the first day of a three day, 9.8 inch storm.

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

January 3: ORD

Today is January 3rd. It's the 3rd day of the year. 362 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 15. The 31-year averages are 33 and 19.

On the warm side, in 1998 the high was the near-record high of 58 with a low of 35. The record high of 60 was set in 1950. In 2004 the high was 52 with a low of 30. In 1993 the high was 46 with a low of 35. In 2006 the high was 42 with a low of 39, a three degree spread. Three years ago the high was 48 with a low of 33. Ten years before that, in 1997, the high was 45 with a low of 35. In 1990 the high was 44 with a low of 33. In 1992 the high was 41 with a low of 36, a five degree spread. In 2000 the high was 38 with a low of 32, a six degree spread. Other warm lows were 32 in 2005, 30 in 1982 and 28 (1980, 1994). The record warmest low of 46 was set way back in 1874. 26 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (8), 30s (11) and 40s (7). On the warmer side, two highs were 50s. On the colder side, two highs were 10s (aka teens) and one high was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1978 the high was 18 with a low of 2, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 36 with a low of 31, a five degree spread. In 1974 the low was a cold 3 degrees. In 1970 the high was a cold 18 degrees. In 1969 the high was 20 with a cold low of -5, a cold day. In 1968 the low was a cold 3 degrees. In 1967 the low was also a cold 3 degrees. In 1964 the high was 38 with a warm low of 31, a seven degree spread. In 1963 the high was 32 with a low of 26, a six degree spread. In 1962 the high was 42 with a low of 30, a warm day. In 1961 the low was a cold 1 degree. In 1959 the high was 21 with a cold low of -1, a cold day.

More recently, we had small spreads of three degrees in 1980 (31/28), four degrees in 1994 (32/28), four degrees in 2005 (36/32) and five degrees in 1982 (35/30).

On the cold side, in 1979 the high was 4 with a low of -15. In 1991 the high was 16 with a low of -2. In 1985 the high was 20 with a low of -6. In 1981 the high was 22 with a low of -5. In 1995 the high was 18 with a low of 3. Two years ago the high was 23 with a low of 0. 11 of the last 31 lows were 30s. Everything else is on the colder side. One low was in the negative 10s, three lows were negative zeros, four lows were zeros, seven lows were 10s (aka teens) and five lows were 20s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:34 and twilight ends at 17:05. There's a total of 9 hours, 12 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 14 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 91% at midnight, will be 88% at noon and 83% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 9:19 and moonrise is at 20:32. Moonset is at 9:47 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 47 minutes which is 46 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Ten years ago, in 1999, 1.0 inches fell. This was the third day of a three day, 21.6 inch storm. This storm comprised 73% of the month's total of 29.6 inches.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in two weeks, one day and my brother will be celebrating a birthday in three weeks. -Bernie-

January 2: ORD

Today is January 2nd. It's the 2nd day of the year. 363 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 15. The 31-year averages are 34 and 20.

On the warm side, in 2004 the high was the record high of 61 with a low of 37. Four years before, in 2000, the high was the former record high of 60 with a low of 35. Before this, the record high was 58 in 1950. In 1997 the high was 53 with a low of 37. A year later, in 1998, the high was 50 with a low of 37. In 2005 the high was 54 with a low of 33. A year later, in 2006, the high was 42 with a low of 40, a two degree spread. In 1992 the high was 43 with a low of 36, a seven degree spread. In 2007 the high was 43 with a low of 26. Other warm lows were 29 in 1987 and 28 (1980, 1994, 2003). The record warmest low of 47 was set way back in 1897. 20 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (7) and 30s (13). On the warmer side, three highs were 40s, three highs were 50s and two highs were 60s. On the colder side, two highs were 10s (aka teens) and one high was in the single-digits.

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1978 the high was 13 with a low of -4, a cold day. In 1977 the high was 19 with a low of 2, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 15 with a low of 1, yet another cold day. In 1969 the high was 22 with a low of 0, a cold day. In 1968 the high was 20 with a low of 16, a four degree spread. In 1966 the high was 44 with a low of 27, a warm day. In 1965 the low was a warm 29 degrees. In 1963 the high was 31 with a low of 26, a five degree spread. In 1961 the high was 31 with a low of 24, a seven degree spread. In 1960 the high was 43 with a low of 31, a warm day.

More recently, we had small spreads of three degrees in 2003 (31/28), four degrees in 1994 (32/28), five degrees in 1980 (33/28) and seven degrees in 1987 (36/29).

On the cold side, in 1979 the high was the near-record coldest high of 4 with the near-record low of -13. The record low of -16 was set way back in 1879 and the record coldest high of 2 was set back in 1920. In 1985 the high was 14 with a low of -3. Two years ago the high was 20 with a low of 2. Another cold low was 2 in 1988. 28 of the last 31 lows were: single digits (5), 10s (9), 20s (8) and 30s (6). On the colder side, one low was in the negative 10s and one low was in the negative single digits. On the warmer side, one low was in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:33 and twilight ends at 17:04. There's a total of 9 hours, 11 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 13 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waning gibbous and was full two days ago at 13:13. Illumination was 97% at midnight, will be 94% at noon and 91% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 8:46 and moonrise is at 19:13. Moonset is at 9:19 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 33 minutes which is 42 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Ten years ago, in 1999, 18.6 inches fell. This was the second day of a three day, 21.6 inch storm. This 18.6 inches was the most snow ever recorded in a calendar day in Chicago. This storm comprised 73% of the month's total of 29.6 inches.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in two weeks, two days and my brother will be celebrating a birthday in three weeks, one day. -Bernie-

January 1: ORD

Today is January 1st. It's the 1st day of the year. 364 days remain. It's week 1 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 15. The 31-year averages are 32 and 19.

On the warm side, in 2000 the high was 48 with a low of 35. Three years before, in 1997, the high was 39 with a low of 33, a six degree spread. Three years ago the high was 43 with a low of 29. In 1994 the high was 41 with a low of 30. In 2006 the high was 45 with a low of 26. A decade earlier, in 1996, the high was 38 with a low of 32, a six degree spread. In 2004 the high was 49 with a low of 21. Other warm lows were 31 in 1992, 30 in 1987 and 27 in 2003. The record high of 65 was set way back in 1876. The record warmest low of 43 was set back in 1950. 23 of the last 31 highs were: 20s (9) and 30s (14). On the warmer side, seven highs were 40s. On the colder side, one high was in the single-digits. No highs were in the 10s (aka teens).

In looking back through the years to the first January at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1978 the high was 32 with a low of -1, a 33 degree spread. In 1977 the high was 13 with a low of 1, a cold day. In 1976 the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread and warm day. In 1974 the high was 8 with a low of -3, a cold day. In 1972 the high was 41 with a warm low of 33, a warm day. In 1971 the high was 39 with a warm low of 31, a warm day. In 1970 the high was 29 with a low of 22, a seven degree spread. In 1969 the high was 5 with a low of -7, a cold day. 1969 was the year of the record coldest high and record low. In 1968 the high was 16 with a low of -11, a cold day. In 1966 the high was a warm 42 degrees. In 1965 the high was 38 with a low of 34, a four degree spread and warm day. In 1964 the high was 25 with a low of -13, a 35 degree spread and cold. In 1960 the low was a warm 27 degrees.

More recently, we had small spreads of three degrees in 1987 (33/30), five degrees in 1990 (30/25), five degrees in 1992 (36/31), six degrees in 2003 (33/27), seven degrees in 1981 (33/26) and seven degrees in 1982 (21/14).

On the cold side, in 1988 the high was 8 with a low of -1. The record low of -10 and the record coldest high of 5 were set in 1969. 19 of the last 31 lows were: 10s (10) and 20s (9). On the colder side, six lows were: negative single digits (1) and single digits (5). On the warmer side, six lows were in the 30s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:32 and twilight ends at 17:04. There's a total of 9 hours, 10 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 14 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:51 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waning gibbous, having reached full yesterday at 13:13. Illumination was 100% at midnight, will be 99% at noon and 97% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 8:07 and moonrise is at 17:52. Moonset is at 8:46 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 15 minutes which is 31 minutes less than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. In 1999, 2.0 inches fell. This was the first day of a three day, 21.6 inch storm. This storm comprised 73% of the month's total of 29.6 inches.

New Year's Day is today. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is in two weeks, three days and my brother will be celebrating a birthday in three weeks, two days. -Bernie-

December 31: ORD

Today is December 31st. It's the 365th day of the year. No days remain. It's week 53 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 16. The 31-year averages are 34 and 21.

On the warm side, in 2006 the high was 56 with the record warmest low of 43. In 2004 the high was 56 with a low of 29. These two highs of 56 were the warmest at O'Hare since 1965 when the high was 58. In 2002 the high was 41 with a low of 28. In 2005 the high was 37 with a low of 32, a five degree spread. Other warm highs were 44 in 1979, 42 in 2003 and 41 in 1999. Other warm lows were 32 (1980, 1995), 31 (1984, 1991), 30 in 1986 and 28 in 1989. The record high of 68 was set way back in 1875. 18 of the last 31 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, six highs were: 40s (4) and 50s (2). On the colder side, seven highs were: 10s (2) and 20s (5).

In looking back through the years to the first December at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 33 with a low of 30, a three degree spread. In 1976 the high was 6 with a low of -8, a cold day. 1976 had the record coolest high (5 at Midway). In 1974 the high was 36 with a low of 34, a two degree spread. In 1973 the high was 14 with a low of 2, a cold day. In 1970 the low was a warm 28. In 1968 the high was 15 with a low of -9, a cold day. In 1967 the high was 25 with a low of -11, a 36 degree spread, a cold day. That low of -11 was colder than the record low. In 1965 the high was 58 with a low of 31, a warmer day than most. In 1963 the high was 17 with a low of -14, a 31 degree spread and cold. That low of -14 was also colder than the record low. In 1961 the low was a cold 1 degree. In 1958 the high was 30 with a low of 24, a six degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of two degrees in 1980 (34/32), three degrees in 1991 (34/31), four degrees in 1995 (36/32), five degrees in 1984 (36/31), five degrees in 1989 (33/28) and six degrees in 1986 (36/30). We've had one large spread. It turned out to be a normal day. In 1987 the spread was 32 degrees as the high was 39 with a low of 7.

Before last year, six years in a row were above normal (2002-2007). Three years ago (2006) was the warmest ever of the past 30 years, peaking at 56 degrees. This tied the same high of 56 in 2004. In 2004 that high of 56 occurred at 47 minutes past midnight.

On the cold side, in 1990 the high was 16 with a low of 1. Another cold high was 17 in 1998. The record low of -10 was set in 1967 at Midway (it was -11 at O'Hare). It was also -14 at O'Hare in 1963. The record coldest high of 5 was set in 1976 at Midway (it was 6 at O'Hare). 13 of the last 31 lows were 20s. On the colder side, seven lows were single digits and four lows were 10s. On the warmer side, six lows were 30s and one low was in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:31 and twilight ends at 17:03. There's a total of 9 hours, 9 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 13 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is full today. It's the full Long Nights moon and also a Blue moon, meaning the second full moon within a calendar month. Illumination was 100% at midnight, will be 100% at noon and 100% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 7:19 and moonrise is at 16:33. Moonset is at 8:07 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 46 minutes which is 15 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Back in 1978, 10.1 inches fell. This was day four of a four day, 16.8 inch storm. The total snowfall of December 1978 was 35.1 inches at O'Hare.

New Year's Eve is today (as is my best friend Christopher's birthday) and New Year's Day is tomorrow. -Bernie-

December 30: ORD

Today is December 30th. It's the 364th day of the year. One day remains. It's week 52 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 30 and the normal low is 16. The 31-year averages are 35 and 20.

On the warm side, in 2002 the high was the near-record high of 60 with a low of 37. The record high of 61 was set way back in 1884. A decade earlier, in 1992, the high was 51 with a low of 39. Three years ago the high was 50 with a low of 40. Two years before that, in 2004, the high was 57 with a low of 31. In 1986 the high was 42 with a low of 30. In 2005 the high was 38 with a low of 33, a five degree spread. In 1979 the high was 47 with a low of 23. Another warm high was 42 in 2003. Other warm lows were 32 in 1989, 30 in 1980 and 30 in 1991. The record warmest low of 51 was set way back in 1884. 14 of the last 31 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, nine highs were: 40s (5), 50s (3) and 60s (1). On the colder side, eight highs were: 20s (6) and 10s (2).

In looking back through the years to the first December at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 10 with a low of -2, a cold day. In 1973 the high was a cold 14 degrees with a low of 7, a seven degree spread. In 1972 the high was 48 with a low of 35, a warm day. In 1967 the high was 31 with a low of 25, a six degree spread. In 1965 the high was 57 with a low of 39, one of the warmer days. In 1963 the high was 7 with a low of -12, a cold day. In 1962 the high was 15 with a low of 8, a seven degree spread, a cold day. In 1961 the high was 18 with a low of -2, a cold day. In 1959 the high was 27 with a low of 21, a six degree spread. In 1958 the high was 30 with a low of 23, a seven degree spread.

More recently, we had small spreads of one degree in 1989 (33/32), two degrees in 1980 (32/30) and seven degrees in 1991 (37/30). We've had a couple of large spreads. They are both on the colder side of things. In 1981 the spread was 31 degrees (29/-2) and in 1985 it was 34 degrees (37/3).

On the cold side, in 1983 the high was the near-record coldest high of 10 with the near-record low of -6. The record coldest high of 9 was set back in 1938 and the record low of -7 was set way back in 1909. In 1998 the high was 13 with a low of 1. Other cold lows were -2 in 1981, 3 in 1985, 3 in 1993, 5 in 1990 and 5 in 2001. 18 of the last 31 lows were: 20s (10) and 30s (8). On the colder side, 12 lows were: negative single digits (2), single digits (5) and 10s (5). On the warmer side, one low was in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:30 and twilight ends at 17:02. There's a total of 9 hours, 8 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 12 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waxing gibbous and will be full tomorrow at 13:13. Illumination was 97% at midnight, will be 98% at noon and 100% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 6:20 and moonrise is at 15:19. Moonset is at 7:19 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 15 hours, 1 minute which is three minutes longer than yesterday and is the longest amount of time for the near future.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Back in 1978, 1.6 inches fell. This was day three of a four day, 16.8 inch storm. The total snowfall of December 1978 was 35.1 inches at O'Hare.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow (as is my best friend Christopher's birthday) and New Year's Day is in two days. -Bernie-

December 29: ORD

Today is December 29th. It's the 363rd day of the year. Two days remain. It's week 52 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 31 and the normal low is 16. The 31-year averages are 35 and 21.

On the warm side, in 1984 the high was the record high of 63 with a low of 28, a 35 degree spread. Three years ago the high was 50 with a low of 40. In 1992 the high was 44 with a low of 39, a five degree spread. In 2003 the high was 47 with a low of 30. In 1979 the high was 52 with a low of 22, a thirty degree spread. Last year the high was 43 with a low of 29. In 1999 the high was 45 with a low of 26. Other warm lows were 32 in 1989, 32 in 2005, 31 in 1994 and 30 in 1991. The record warmest low of 42 was set way back in 1884. 13 of the last 30 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, seven highs were 40s, two highs were 50s and one high was in the 60s. On the colder side, four highs were 20s, three highs were 10s and one high was in the single digits.

In looking back through the years to the first December at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 7 with a low of -7, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 38 with a low of 34, a four degree spread. In 1972 the high was 44 with a low of 34, a warm day. In 1969 the high was 30 with a low of 27, a three degree spread. In 1967 the low was a cold 4 degrees. In 1965 the high was 41 with a low of 33, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 44 with a low of 31, another warm day. In 1963 the high was 8 with a low of -8, a cold day. In 1962 the high was 34 with a low of 2, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 14 with a low of 1, a cold day. In 1958 the low was a warm 28 degrees.

More recently, we had a small spread of four degrees in 1986 (33/29), five degrees in 1991 (35/30), five degrees in 2005 (37/32), six degrees in 1989 (38/32), seven degrees in 1980 (36/29), seven degrees in 1982 (24/17) and seven degrees in 1994 (38/31).

On the cold side, in 1983 the high was the record coldest high of 2 with a low of -8. A couple of years earlier, in 1981, the high was 18 with a low of -1. Four years later, in 1985, the high was 18 with a low of 7. Another cold high was 19 in 2001. The record low of -15 was set way back in 1880. 19 of the last 30 lows were: 20s (13) and 30s (6). On the colder side, four lows were 10s, five lows were single digits and two lows were in the negative single digits. On the warmer side, one low was in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:29 and twilight ends at 17:01. There's a total of 9 hours, 7 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 11 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waxing gibbous, heading towards full in two days. Illumination was 91% at midnight, will be 94% at noon and 97% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 5:13 and moonrise is at 14:15. Moonset is at 6:20 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 58 minutes which is 20 minutes longer than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Back in 1978, 2.3 inches fell. This was day two of a four day, 16.8 inch storm.

New Year's Eve is in two days and New Year's Day is in three days. -Bernie-

December 28: ORD

Today is December 28th. It's the 362nd day of the year. Three days remain. It's week 52 of the year.

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

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 31 and the normal low is 17. The 31-year averages are 36 and 22.

On the warm side, in 1984 the high was the record high of 69 with the record warmest low of 49. In 2003 the high was 49 with a low of 41. In 1982 the high was 65 with a low of 21, a 44 degree spread. Three years ago the high was 48 with a low of 36. In 1992 the high was 44 with a low of 34. A couple of years later, in 1994, the high was 42 with a low of 34. A couple of years after that, in 1996, the high was 39 with a low of 34, a spread of five degrees. In 2005 the temperatures were the same, a high of 39 with a low of 34 and a spread of just five degrees. Another warmer high was 43 in 1986. Other warm lows were 32 in 1991, 30 in 1987 and 30 two years ago. 15 of the last 30 highs were 30s. On the warmer side, seven highs were 40s, no highs were 50s and two highs were 60s. On the colder side, four highs were 20s and three highs were 10s.

In looking back through the years to the first December at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the low was a cold 5 degrees. In 1976 the high was 23 with a cold low of 0, a cold day. In 1974 the high was 35 with a warm low of 33, a mere two degree spread. In 1969 the high was 32 with a low of 25, a seven degree spread. In 1963 the high was 18 with a low of -4, a cold day. In 1962 the high was 34 with a cold low of 1, a 33 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 10 with a low of -4, a cold day. In 1959 the high was a warm 50 degrees with a low of 34, a warm day. In 1958 the high was a warm 49 degrees with a low of 28, a warm day.

More recently, we had a small spread of four degrees two years ago (high of 34, low of 30). The spreads were five degrees in 1987 (35/30) and in 1991 (37/32). There was a spread of seven degrees in 1979 (31/24).

On the cold side, in 1983 the high was 19 with a low of -1. A couple of years later, in 1985, the high was 19 with a low of 0. Another cold low was 3 in 1993. Another cold high was 19 in 1988. The record low of -13 was set back in 1924 and the record coldest high of -1 was set way back in 1880. 24 of the last 30 lows were: 10s (7), 20s (9) and 30s (8). On the colder side, five lows were in the: negative single digits (1) and single digits (4). On the warmer side, two lows were 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 16:29 and twilight ends at 17:01. There's a total of 9 hours, 7 minutes of daylight today and 10 hours, 11 minutes between twilights. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:50 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waxing gibbous. Illumination was 84% at midnight, 87% at noon and 91% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 4:02 and moonrise is at 13:24. Moonset is at 5:13 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 38 minutes which is 31 minutes longer than yesterday.

Today is a major snow day in O'Hare's history. Back in 1978 , 2.8 inches fell. This was part of 16.8 inches that fell over four days.

New Year's Eve is in three days and New Year's Day is in four days. -Bernie-