November 8: ORD

Today is November 8th. It's the 313th day of the year. 53 days remain. It's week 45 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 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. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 52 and the normal low is 36. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 53 and 35.

On the warm side, three years ago, in 2009, the high was 70 (O'Hare's second warmest high of the date) with a low of 45. In 1983 the high was 64 with a low of 48. In 2002 the high was 63 with a low of 48. The other warm highs were 71 degrees in 1999 (O'Hare's warmest high of the date), 68 degrees in 1964, 67 degrees two years ago in 2010, 66 degrees in 1981, 64 degrees in 1984 and 64 degrees in 2006. The 70s highs (71 in 1999 and 70 in 2009) are the only 70s in O'Hare's history for the date. The other warm low was 48 degrees in 1994. The record high of 73 degrees was set in 1931 at the University of Chicago. The record warmest low of 57 degrees occurred in 1977 at Midway. 29 of the past 34 highs (85%) were in the: 40s (10), 50s (9) and 60s (10). Two highs were in the warm 70s. Three highs were in the cold 30s. Our most recent 30s high is 33 degrees in 2003. O'Hare's warmest November 8th was in 1977 as the high was 63 with a low of 56 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). O'Hare's second warmest November 8th was in 1975 as the high was 65 with a low of 51 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date).

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 63 with a warm low of 56, a seven degree spread, warm day and year of the record warmest low of 57. In 1976 the high was 37 with a low of 16, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 65 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1973 the low was a cold 23 degrees. In 1972 the high was 43 with a low of 38, a five degree spread. In 1971 the high was 42 with a cold low of 20, a cold day. In 1968 the high was a cold 39 degrees. In 1967 the low was a cold 23 degrees. In 1964 the high was a warm 68 with a low of 36, a 32 degree spread. In 1962 the high was 43 with a low of 37, a six degree spread. In 1961 the high was a cold 38 degrees. In 1960 the high was 43 with a low of 37, a six degree spread.

More recently, there was a large spread of 33 degrees in 1999 (71/38). There were small spreads of four degrees last year, in 2011 (51/47), five degrees in 2008 (40/35) and seven degrees in 1998 (40/33). 

On the cool side, in 1991 (O'Hare's coolest November 8th) the high was 32 with the record low of 11. Four years later, in 1995 (O'Hare's second coolest November 8th), the high was 32 with a low of 18 (O'Hare's third coldest low of the date). Those highs of 32 degrees are O'Hare's coolest highs of the date. In 2003 the high was 33 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date and our most recent 30s high) with a low of 21 (our most recent 20s low). In 1990 the high was 40 with a low of 22. The other cold lows were 23 degrees in both 1967 and 1973. The other cool highs are 38 degrees in 1961, 39 degrees in 1968 and 40 degrees in 1998 and a decade later in 2008. 17 of the last 34 lows (50%) were in the 30s. Seven lows (21%) were in the cold: 10s (2) and 20s (5). Ten lows (29%) were in the warm 40s. The other cool days were in: 1976 (high of 37, low of 16 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date)) and 1971 (high of 42, low of 20). 

There was an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 2002 the high was 63 with a low of 48, overall 11.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 2003 the high was 33 with a low of 21, overall 17 degrees BELOW normal.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:06 and sunrise is at 6:36. Sunset is at 16:38 and twilight ends at 17:08. There's a total of 10 hours, 2 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 2 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:07 and sunrise is at 6:37. The moon reached last quarter two nights ago at 18:36. Illumination was 38% at midnight, will be 33% at noon and 28% at midnight tonight. Moonrise was at 0:25 this morning. Moonset is at 13:24 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 1:31 tomorrow morning. Moonset is at 13:54 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 59 minutes which is four minutes longer than yesterday.  

Cool Fall began on November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 20s, 60s and 70s occur infrequently. Veteran's Day is in three days. Thanksgiving is in 14 days.

November 7: ORD

Today is November 7th. It's the 312th day of the year. 54 days remain. It's week 45 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 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. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire. 

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 53 and the normal low is 36. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 52 and 35.

On the warm side, three years ago, in 2009, the high was 71 (with 1966, O'Hare's warmest high of the date) with a low of 46. In 2001 the high was 68 (O'Hare's second warmest high of the date) with a low of 44. The other warm high was 67 degrees in 1982 (with 1975, O'Hare's third warmest high of the date). The other warm lows were 51 degrees last year in 2011 and 49 degrees in 1965. The record high of 75 degrees was set in 1915, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. The record warmest low of 63 degrees occurred in 1975 at Midway. 25 of the past 34 highs (74%) were in the: 40s (11) and 50s (14). There were eight consecutive 40s and 50s highs from 1993 through 2000. Seven highs (20%) were in the warm: 60s (6) and 70s (1). Two highs (6%) were in the cold: 20s (1) and 30s (1). O'Hare's warmest November 7th was in 1975 as the high was 67 (with 1982, O'Hare's third warmest high of the date) with a low of 62 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). O'Hare's second warmest November 7th was in 1966 as the high was 71 (with 2009, O'Hare's warmest high of the date) with a low of 50. The other warm 11/7 was in 1977 (high of 58, low of 54 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date)). 

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 58 with a warm low of 54, a spread of four degrees and a warm day. In 1976 the high was 38 with a low of 22, a cold day. In 1975 the high was 67 with a low of 62, a spread of just five degrees, a warm day and year of the record warmest low of 63. In 1971 the high was 35 with a low of 19, a cold day. In 1967 the low was a cold 22 degrees. In 1966 the high was 71 with a low of 50, a warm day. In 1965 the low was a warm 49 degrees. In 1959 the high was 35 with a low of 20, a cold day. In 1958 the low was a cold 24 degrees.

More recently, there were large spreads of 31 degrees in 1982 (67/36) and 30 degrees in 1981 (60/30). There were small spreads of four degrees in 1998 (42/38) and seven degrees last year, in 2011 (58/51).

On the cool side, in 1991 (O'Hare's coolest November 7th) the high was the record coolest high of 27 with the record low of 13. A couple of years later, in 1993, the high was 41 with a low of 16 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). The other cold lows were 22 degrees in 1967 and 24 degrees in 1958. The other cool high was 38 degrees in 1992. 19 of the last 34 lows (56%) were in the 30s. Six consecutive lows were in the 30s, from 1994 through 1999. Six lows (18%) were in the cold: 10s (2) and 20s (4). Our most recent 20s lows were 29 degrees in 2002 and 26 degrees in 2003. Nine lows (26%) were in the warm: 40s (8) and 50s (1). O'Hare's second coolest November 7th was in 1971 (high of 35, low of 19). O'Hare's third coolest 11/7 was in 1959 (high of 35, low of 20). The other cool day was in 1976 (high of 38, low of 22). O'Hare's second coolest highs of 35 degrees occurred in 1959 and 1971.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:05 and sunrise is at 6:34. Sunset is at 16:39 and twilight ends at 17:09. There's a total of 10 hours, 5 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 4 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:06 and sunrise is at 6:36. The moon reached last quarter  last night at 18:36. Illumination was 48% at midnight, will be 43% at noon and 38% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 12:55 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 0:25 tomorrow morning. Moonset is at 13:24 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 55 minutes which is eight minutes shorter than yesterday.  

Cool Fall began on November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 20s, 60s and 70s occur infrequently. Veteran's Day is in four days.

November 6: ORD

Today is November 6th. It's the 311th day of the year. 55 days remain. It's week 45 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 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. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.
 
According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 53 and the normal low is 37. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 51 and 34.

On the warm side, in 2008 the high was 65 with a low of 45. In 1996 the high was 63 with a low of 45. In 2004 the high was 65 with a low of 42. O'Hare's warmest high (of the last 34 years) was 68 degrees in 1980 (also it's O'Hare's second warmest high of the date) but since the low was 28 degrees, the day was just three degrees above normal. However, the spread of 40 degrees is remarkable. The record high of 75 degrees was set in 1975 at Midway. The record warmest low of 63 degrees occurred in 1924, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 23 of the past 34 highs (68%) were in the: 40s (11) and 50s (12). O'Hare recorded seven consecutive highs in the 40s and 50s from 1981 through 1987. Seven highs (20%) were in the warm 60s. Six of the 60s highs (86% of them) occurred in a 14 year span from 1996 through 2009. Included were 60s highs in the back-to-back years of 2004/2005 and 2008/2009. Four highs (12%) were in the cold 30s. All of the 30s highs occurred in a six year span from 1988 through 1993, including three consecutive from 1991 through 1993. O'Hare's warmest November 6th was in 1975 as the high was 75 (O'Hare's warmest high of the date and only 70s high) with a low of 57 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). O'Hare's second warmest 11/6 was in 1965 as the high was 64 with a low of 55 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date). O'Hare's third and most recent 50s low is 52 degrees in 1977.  

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 59 with a warm low of 52, a spread of seven degrees. In 1975 the high was 75 with a low of 57, a warm day and year of the record high of 75, set at Midway. In 1973 the high was 41 with a low of 20, a cold day. In 1971 the low was a cold 24 degrees. In 1969 the high was 60 with a low of 30, a 30 degree spread. In 1968 the high was 48 with a low of 45, a three degree spread. In 1965 the high was 64 with a warm low of 55, a warm day. In 1961 the high was 40 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1960 the high was a cold 41 degrees. In 1959 the high was 30 with a low of 24, a six degree spread, cold day and year of the record coldest high of 29 at Midway.

More recently, the only large spread (30 degrees or more) was 40 degrees in 1980 (68/28). There were additional small spreads of four degrees in 1997 (47/43), seven degrees in 1989 (49/42) and seven degrees in 2002 (43/36). 

On the cool side, in 1993 (O'Hare's coolest November 6th) the high was 32 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 20 (with 1973, O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). A couple of years earlier, in 1991 (O'Hare's third coolest November 6th), the high was 36 with the record low of 19. Three years earlier, in 1988, the high was 36 with a low of 31, a five degree spread. Four years later, in 1992, the high was 37 with a low of 31, a six degree spread. The other cold lows were 23 degrees in 1984, 24 degrees in 1971, 25 degrees in 1982 and 25 degrees two years ago, in 2010. The other cool high of 41 degrees occurred in 1960. The record coolest high of 29 degrees occurred in 1959 at Midway. 18 of the last 33 lows (53%) were in the 30s. Seven lows (21%) were in the cold: 10s (1) and 20s (6). Five of the 20s lows (83% of them) occurred in a 14 year span from 1980 through 1993. Nine lows (26%) were in the warm 40s. Eight of the 40s lows (89% of them) occurred in a 16 year span from 1996 through 2011, including two in a row (1996/1997) and three in a row (2004-6). O'Hare's second coolest November 6th was in 1959 as the high was 30 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 24. The other cool 11/6 days were in: 1973 (high of 41, low of 20 (with 1993, O'Hare's second coldest low of the date)) and 1961 (high of 40, low of 23). 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:04 and sunrise is at 6:33. Sunset is at 16:40 and twilight ends at 17:10. There's a total of 10 hours, 7 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 6 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:05 and sunrise is at 6:34. The moon reaches last quarter tonight at 18:36. Illumination was 58% at midnight, will be 53% at noon and 48% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 12:24 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 23:21 tonight. Moonset is at 12:55 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 3 minutes which is 29 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Cool Fall began on November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 10s and 20s occur infrequently. Election Day is today. Veteran's Day is in five days.

November 5: ORD

Today is November 5th. It's the 310th day of the year. 56 days remain. It's week 45 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 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. 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 54 and the normal low is 37. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 52 and 35.

On the warm side, in 1978 (O'Hare's second warmest November 5th) the high was 78 (O'Hare's warmest high of the date) with a low of 47. Three decades later, in 2008, the high was 71 with a low of 47. The other warm highs were 67 degrees in 1971, 67 degrees in 1999 and 66 degrees in 1965. The other warm lows were 49 degrees (O'Hare's second warmest lows of the date) in 1977 and again in 1994. The record high of 79 degrees was set in 1978 at Midway. The record warmest low of 54 degrees occurred in 1956 at Midway. 22 of the past 34 highs (65%) were in the: 40s (12) and 50s (10). O'Hare recorded six consecutive highs in the 40s and 50s from 1983 through 1988. Eight highs (23%) were in the warm: 60s (6) and 70s (2). Four highs (12%) were in the cold 30s. O'Hare's warmest November 5th was in 1975 as the high was 72 (O'Hare's second warmest high) with a low of 54 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date).

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the low was a warm 49 degrees. In 1976 the low was a cold 25 degrees. In 1975 the high was 72 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1974 the high was 45 with a low of 40, a five degree spread. The same temperatures also occurred the prior day (November 4) in 1974. In 1973 the high was 36 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1971 the high was a warm 67 degrees. In 1967 the high was a cold 35 with a low of 27, a cold day. In 1965 the high was a warm 66 with a low of 28, a 38 degree spread. In 1964 the high was 59 with a low of 29, a 30 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 53 with a low of 46, a seven degree spread. In 1961 the low was a cold 24 degrees.

More recently, there was an additional large spread of 30 degrees in 1983 (58/28). There were additional small spreads of five degrees in 1998 (41/36), six degrees in 1992 (36/30) and seven degrees in 2002 (41/34).

On the cool side, in 1991 (O'Hare's coolest November 5th) the high was 38 with a low of 17 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date and only low in the 10s (a.k.a. teens) for the date). Four years later, in 1995 (O'Hare's second coolest November 5th), the high was 37 with a low of 20 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). In 1984 the high was 40 with a low of 23. Two years prior, in 1982, the high was 34 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 30, a four degree spread. The other cold lows were 24 degrees in 1961 and 25 degrees in 1976. The other cool highs were 36 degrees in 1992, 40 degrees two years ago (in 2010), 41 degrees in 1998 and 41 degrees in 2002. The record low of 11 degrees and record coolest high of 30 degrees were set on the same cold day in 1951 at Midway. 18 of the last 34 lows (53%) were in the 30s. Seven lows (21%) were in the cold: 10s (1) and 20s (6). Nine lows (26%) were in the warm 40s. O'Hare's other cool November 5ths occurred in: 1973 (O'Hare's third coolest November 5th)(high of 36, low of 23) and 1967 (high of 35 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date), low of 27). 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:03 and sunrise is at 6:32. Sunset is at 16:41 and twilight ends at 17:11. There's a total of 10 hours, 9 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 8 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:04 and sunrise is at 6:33. The moon is waning gibbous, heading for last quarter tomorrow at 18:36. Illumination was 67% at midnight, will be 63% at noon and 58% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 11:51 this morning. Moonrise is at 22:19 tonight. Moonset is at 12:24 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 32 minutes which is 23 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Cool Fall began on November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 10s and 20s occur infrequently. Standard Time returned yesterday. Election Day is tomorrow. Veteran's Day is in six days. 

November 4: ORD

Today is November 4th. It's the 309th day of the year. 57 days remain. It's week 45 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 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. 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 54 and the normal low is 37. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 53 and 37.

On the warm side, in 1981 (O'Hare's warmest November 4th) the high was 71 with a low of 54 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date). In 2008 (with 1975, O'Hare's second warmest November 4th) the high was 71 with a low of 50. Three decades earlier, in 1978, the high was 74 (same temperature and day of the record high set at Midway) with a low of 45. In 2005 the high was 70 with a low of 49. In 1994 the high was 65 with a low of 52. In 2003 the high was 70 with a low of 47. The other warm highs were 68 degrees in 1958 and again in 1987. The other warm low of 50 degrees occurred in 1977. The record warmest low of 59 degrees occurred in 1975 at Midway. 20 of the past 34 highs (59%) were in the: 40s (8) and 50s (12). Ten highs (29%) were in the warm: 60s (5) and 70s (5). Four highs (12%) were in the cold: 20s (1) and 30s (3). The last 60s high was 11 years ago (61 degrees in 2001). We've had three 70s highs since that most recent 60s high! O'Hare's second warmest November 4th (with 2008) was in 1975 as the high was 66 with a low of 55 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). The other warm day was in 1964 as the high was 71 with a low of 45.

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the low was a warm 50 degrees. In 1975 the high was 66 with a low of 55, a warm day and year of the record warmest low of 59 at Midway. In 1974 the high was 45 with a low of 40, a five degree spread. In 1972 the high was 44 with a low of 39, a five degree spread. In 1969 the high was a cold 42 with a low of 36, a six degree spread. In 1969 the high was a cold 42 with a low of 36, a six degree spread. In 1967 the high was a cold 37 with a low of 28, a cold day. In 1966 the low was a cold 24 degrees. In 1964 the high was a warm 71 with a low of 45, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 50 with a low of 45, a five degree spread. In 1962 the high was a cold 39 with a low of 33, a six degree spread. In 1958 the high was a warm 68 degrees.

More recently, there was a large spread of 39 degrees in 1999 (65/26). There were small spreads of four degrees in 1997 (41/37), five degrees in 1992 (38/33) and six degrees in 1985 (43/37).

On the cool side, in 1991 (O'Hare's coolest November 4th) the high was 25 (O'Hare's coolest and only 20s high) with the record low of 11 (our only 10s low), a very winter-like day (28 degrees below normal). Four years later, in 1995 (O'Hare's second coolest November 4th), the high was 33 with a low of 20 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). In 1982 (O'Hare's third coolest November 4th) the high was 31 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 25, a six degree spread. The other cold low was 24 degrees in 1966. The other cool highs were 38 degrees in 1992, 39 degrees in 1962, 41 degrees in 1997, 41 degrees in 1998 and 42 degrees in 1969. The record coldest high of 24 degrees occurred in 1951 at Midway. 17 of the last 34 lows (50%) were in the 30s. Six lows (18%) were in the cold: 10s (1) and 20s (5). 11 lows (32%) were in the warm: 40s (8) and 50s (3). The other cool day was in 1967 as the high was 37 with a low of 28. 

The following I wrote two years ago in 2010: "Today I was witness to precipitation in the form of sleet. It melted shortly after hitting the ground. This occurred at about 15:45." The National Weather Service posted a write-up this year (on 10/18/12) about what graupel is. It's quite possible that what I saw was graupel and not sleet because as I noted, the precipitation melted after it hit the ground. Usually sleet will not melt right away after hitting the ground.  

There's been two instances of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. First, in 1981 the high was 71 with a low of 54, overall 16.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1982 the high was 31 with a low of 25, overall 18 degrees BELOW normal. Second, in 1994 the high was 65 with a low of 52, overall 12.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1995 the high was 33 with a low of 20, overall 19.5 degrees BELOW normal.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:01 and sunrise is at 6:31. Sunset is at 16:43 and twilight ends at 17:12. There's a total of 10 hours, 12 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 11 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:03 and sunrise is at 6:32. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 76% at midnight, will be 72% at noon and 67% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 11:15 this morning. Moonrise is at 21:20 tonight. Moonset is at 11:51 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 55 minutes which is 18 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Cool Fall began on November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 10s and 20s occur infrequently. Standard Time returns today. Election Day is in two days. Veteran's Day is in seven days.

November 3: ORD

Today is November 3rd. It's the 308th day of the year. 58 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.
 
According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 55 and the normal low is 38. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 53 and 36.

On the warm side, in 1987 (O'Hare's warmest November 3rd) the high was the record high of 75 with a low of 57 (O'Hare's third warmest low of the date). The record high of 75 also occurred in 1938 and 1964. In 2008 the high was 73 with a low of 54. Three years earlier, in 2005, the high was 70 with a low of 53. In 1994 the high was 68 with a low of 54. In 1978 the high was 74 (with 1964, O'Hare' second warmest high of the date) with a low of 43, a 31 degree spread. In 1990 the high was 70 with a low of 47. A decade earlier, in 1980, the high was 66 with a low of 50. The other warm high is 68 degrees in 1981. The record warmest low of 60 degrees occurred in 1975 at Midway. 22 of the past 34 highs (65%) were in the: 40s (14) and 50s (8). Ten highs (29%) were in the warm: 60s (5) and 70s (5). Our most recent 60s high was 66 degrees in 2001. Two highs (6%) were in the cold: 20s (1) and 30s (1). O'Hare's second warmest November 3rd days were in: 1975 (high of 67, low of 62 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date)) and 1977 (high of 71, low of 58 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date)). O'Hare's other warm days were in: 1964 (high of 74 (O'Hare's second warmest high with 1978), low of 51)) and 1965 (high of 73, low of 50).    

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 71 with a low of 58, a warm day. In 1975 the high was 67 with a low of 62, a five degree spread, warm day and year of the record warmest low of 60 at Midway. In 1972 the high was 46 with a low of 41, a five degree spread. In 1969 the high was 44 with a low of 41, a three degree spread. In 1967 the high was a cold 41 degrees. In 1966 the high was 36 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1965 the high was 73 with a low of 50, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 74 with a low of 51, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 59 with a cold low of 21, a 38 degree spread.

More recently, there was an additional large spread of 31 degrees in 2001 (66/35). There were additional small spreads of two degrees last year, in 2011 (48/46), five degrees in 2003 (51/46) and seven degrees in 1997 (40/33).

On the cool side, in 1991 (O'Hare's coolest November 3rd) the high was the record coolest high of 24 (O'Hare's only 20s high of the date) with a low of 13 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date and only 10s (a.k.a. teens)) low. Four years later, in 1995, the high was 33 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 27, a six degree spread. In 2006 the high was 40 with a low of 21 (with 1963, O'Hare's third coldest low of the date). In 1989 the high was 41 with a low of 20 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). The other cold lows are 21 degrees in 1963 (with 2006, O'Hare's third coldest low of the date), 23 degrees in 1996, 24 degrees in 2002 and 25 degrees in 1984. The other cool highs were 40 degrees in 1997, 41 degrees in 1967 and 42 degrees in 1992. The record low of 11 degrees was set in 1951 at Midway. 22 of the last 34 lows (65%) were in the: 20s (9) and 30s (13). Eight consecutive lows from 1995 through 2002 were in the 20s and 30s. One low (3%) was in the cold 10s (aka teens). 11 lows (32%) were in the warm: 40s (6) and 50s (5). O'Hare's second coolest November 3rd was in 1966 as the high was 36 (O'Hare's third coolest high of the date) with a low of 23.
 
There's been three instances of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. The first instance was a back-to-back-to-back occurrence: in 1989 the high was 41 with a low of 20, overall 15.5 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1990 the high was 70 with a low of 47, overall 12.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1991 the high was 24 with a low of 13, overall 27.5 degrees BELOW normal. In the second instance, in 1994 the high was 68 with a low of 54, overall 15 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1995 the high was 33 with a low of 27, overall 16 degrees BELOW normal. Thirdly, in 2005 the high was 70 with a low of 53, overall 15.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 2006 the high was 40 with a low of 21, overall 15.5 degrees BELOW normal.  

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 7:00 and sunrise is at 7:30. Sunset is at 17:44 and twilight ends at 18:13. There's a total of 10 hours, 14 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 13 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:01 and sunrise is at 6:31. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 84% at midnight, will be 80% at noon and 76% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 11:36 this morning. Moonrise is at 21:23 tonight. Moonset is at 11:15 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 13 minutes which is eight minutes shorter than yesterday. Moonlight time is near its peak today.

Cool Fall began yesterday, on November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 10s and 20s occur infrequently. Standard Time returns tomorrow. Election Day is in three days. Veteran's Day is in eight days.

November 2: ORD

Today is November 2nd. It's the 307th day of the year. 59 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 55 and the normal low is 38. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 54 and 37.

On the warm side, in 1990 (O'Hare's second warmest November 2nd) the high was 73 with a low of 58. Three years earlier, in 1987, the high was 71 with a low of 58. Those lows of 58 degrees are O'Hare's warmest lows of the date. The other warm highs were 70 degrees in 1978, 68 degrees in 1965, 68 degrees in 1971 and 67 degrees in 2008. The other warm lows were 53 degrees in 1983 and 50 degrees in 1981. The record high of 78 degrees was set in 1974 at Midway. The record warmest low of 62 degrees occurred in 1944 at Midway. 27 of the past 34 highs (79%) were in the: 40s (8), 50s (10) and 60s (9). O'Hare recorded nine consecutive highs in the 40s, 50s and 60s from 1997 through 2005. Our most recent 40s high was 49 degrees in 2004. Four highs (12%) were in the cold 30s. Three highs (9%) were in the warm 70s. O'Hare's warmest November 2nd was in 1961 as the high was 77 (O'Hare's hottest high of the date) and low of 56. The other warm 11/2 days are: 1975 (high of 73, low of 56), 1977 (high of 73, low of 56), 1974 (high of 74 (O'Hare's second hottest high of the date), low of 49)) and 1964 (high of 66, low of 51). Those lows of 56 degrees (1961, 1975 and 1977) are O'Hare's second warmest lows of the date.   

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 73 with a low of 56, a warm day. In 1975 the high was 73 with a low of 56, a warm day. In 1974 the high was 74 with a low of 49, a warm day and year of the record high of 78 at Midway. In 1971 the high was a warm 68 degrees. In 1970 the high was 44 with a low of 40, a four degree spread. In 1969 the high was 47 with a low of 44, a three degree spread. In 1967 the high was 48 with a low of 41, a seven degree spread. In 1966 the high was a cold 39 with a low of 27, a cold day. In 1965 the high was a warm 68 with a low of 38, a 30 degree spread. In 1964 the high was 66 with a warm low of 51, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 47 with a cold low of 22 degrees, a cool day. In 1962 the low was a cold 24 degrees. In 1961 the high was 77 with a low of 56, a warm day. In 1960 the high was a cold 42 with a low of 38, a four degree spread.

More recently, there were large spreads of 31 degrees in 1978 (70/39) and 31 degrees in 1995 (60/29). There were small spreads of four degrees in 2004 (49/45) and seven degrees in 2003 (55/48).

On the cool side, in 1991 (O'Hare's coolest November 2nd) the high was 32 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 18 (O'Hare's coldest and only 10s (a.k.a. teens) low of the date). In 1984 (O'Hare's second coolest November 2nd) the high was 36 with a low of 21 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date). In 2006 the high was 34 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 24. A decade earlier, in 1996, the high was 37 with a low of 22. In 1989 the high was 41 with a low of 26. The other cold lows were 24 degrees in 1962 and 25 degrees in 1980. The other cool high of 42 degrees occurred in 1960. The record low of 14 degrees and record coolest high of 29 degrees were set on the same cold day in 1951 at Midway. 29 of the last 34 lows (85%) were in the: 20s (8), 30s (13) and 40s (8). One low was in the cold 10s (a.k.a. teens). Four lows were in the warm 50s. All four of the post-1978 50s lows occurred in a decade long span from 1981 through 1990. O'Hare's other cool days are: 1966 (high of 39, low of 27) and 1963 (high of 47, low of 22).

There's an instance of back-to-back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1989 the high was 41 with a low of 26, overall 13.5 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1990 the high was 73 with a low of 58, overall 18.5 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 1991 the high was 32 with a low of 18, overall 22 degrees BELOW normal. 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:59 and sunrise is at 7:28. Sunset is at 17:45 and twilight ends at 18:14. There's a total of 10 hours, 17 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 15 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 7:00 and sunrise is at 7:30. The moon is waning gibbous. Illumination was 90% at midnight, will be 87% at noon and 84% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 10:51 this morning. Moonrise is at 20:30 tonight. Moonset is at 11:36 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 21 minutes which is the same as yesterday. Moonlight time is at its peak today, as it was yesterday.

Cool Fall begins today, November 2nd and runs for 29 days through November 30th. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Highs in the 10s and 20s occur infrequently. Standard Time returns in two days. Election Day is in four days.  

November 1: ORD

Today is November 1st. It's the 306th day of the year. 60 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 56 and the normal low is 38. I've calculated the 34-year averages at 57 and 39.

On the warm side, in 2000 (O'Hare's second warmest November 1st) the high was 73 with a low of 53. A year later, in 2001, the high was 66 with a low of 58 (with 1977, O'Hare's warmest low of the date). In 1990 the high was 73 with a low of 48. In 1982 the high was 67 with a low of 51. In 1999 the high was 73 with a low of 45. Note that all three 70s highs were 73 degrees and these are O'Hare's second warmest highs of the date. These occurred in an 11 year span from 1990 through 2000. The other warm high of 70 degrees occurred in 1971. The other warm lows were 52 degrees in 1975, 51 degrees in 1985 and 51 degrees in 1998. The record high of 81 degrees was set in 1950 at Midway. The record warmest low of 60 degrees occurred in 1933 at the University of Chicago. 23 of the past 34 highs (68%) were in the: 50s (14) and 60s (9). O'Hare recorded seven consecutive 50s and 60s highs from 1981 through 1987. Eight highs (23%) were in the cool: 30s (1) and 40s (7). Three highs (9%) were in the warm 70s. O'Hare's warmest November 1st was in 1974 as the high was 74 (O'Hare's warmest high of the date) with a low of 54 (O'Hare' second warmest low of the date). The other warm days were in: 1977 (high of 61, low of 58 (with 2001, O'Hare's warmest low of the date)) and 1968 (high of 71, low of 47).  

In looking back through the years to the first November at O'Hare in 1958, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 61 with a warm low of 58, only a three degree spread and warm day. In 1976 the low was a cold 26 degrees. In 1975 the high was 59 with a warm low of 52, a seven degree spread. In 1974 the high was 74 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1972 the high was 51 with a low of 45, a six degree spread. In 1971 the high was a warm 70 with a low of 35, a 35 degree spread. In 1969 the high was 50 with a low of 44, a six degree spread. In 1968 the high was a warm 71 with a low of 47, a warm day. In 1966 the high was a cold 41 degrees. In 1962 the low was a cold 24 degrees. In 1960 the high was 45 with a low of 40, a five degree spread.

More recently, there were large spreads of 41 degrees in 1984 (67/26) and 30 degrees last year, in 2011 (65/35). There were small spreads of three degrees in 2004 (51/48), four degrees in 2003 (49/45), five degrees in 1998 (56/51), six degrees in 1992 (48/42), six degrees three years ago, in 2008 (54/48) and seven degrees in 1985 (58/51). 

On the cool side, in 1996 (O'Hare's coolest November 1st) the high was 38 (O'Hare's coolest and only 30s high) with a low of 25. In 2002 (O'Hare's second coolest November 1st) the high was 40 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 25. Four years later in 2006, the high was 42 with a low of 27 (our most recent 20s low). In 1993 the high was 46 with a low of 23 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date). The other cold lows were 24 degrees in 1962 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date), 26 degrees in 1976 and 26 degrees in 1984. The record low of 21 degrees was set way back in 1879, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. The record coolest high of 35 degrees occurred in 1954 at Midway. 23 of the last 34 lows (68%) were in the: 30s (12) and 40s (11). For seven consecutive years, from 1986 through 1992, lows were in the 30s and 40s. Six lows (17%) were in the cold 20s. Five lows (15%) were in the warm 50s. Our most recent 50s low was 58 degrees in 2001. O'Hare recorded two 50s lows from 1982 through 1985 and three 50s lows from 1998 through 2001. O'Hare's other cool high of the date is 41 degrees in 1966.

There's an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 2001 the high was 66 with a low of 58, overall 15 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 2002 the high was 40 with a low of 25, overall 14.5 degrees BELOW normal.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:58 and sunrise is at 7:27. Sunset is at 17:46 and twilight ends at 18:15. There's a total of 10 hours, 19 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 17 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:59 and sunrise is at 7:28. The moon is waning gibbous, having passed the full Hunter's moon three days ago at 14:49. Illumination was 95% at midnight, will be 93% at noon and 90% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 10:02 this morning. Moonrise is at 19:41 tonight. Moonset is at 10:51 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 21 minutes which is eight minutes longer than yesterday. Moonlight time is at its peak today and tomorrow.

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through today, November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. Standard Time returns in three days. Election Day is in five days.   

October 31: ORD

Today is October 31st. It's the 305th day of the year. 61 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire. 

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 56 and the normal low is 39. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 59 and 41.

On the warm side, in 1979 (O'Hare's second warmest October 31st) the high was 75 with a low of 53. Two years later, in 1981 (O'Hare's third warmest October 31st), the high was 72 with a low of 54. In 1997 the high was 65 with a low of 54. Four years later, in 2001, the high was 68 with a low of 50. In 2008 the high was 70 with a low of 48. In 2000 the high was 70 with a low of 47. The other warm highs were 73 degrees in 1990 and 69 degrees in 1999. The other warm lows were 54 degrees in 1998 and 51 degrees in 1982. The record high of 84 degrees was set in 1950 at Midway. The record warmest low of 65 degrees occurred in 1974 at Midway. 24 of the past 33 highs (73%) were in the: 50s (14) and 60s (10). There were eight consecutive 50s and 60s highs from 1982 through 1989. Additionally, five highs (15%) were in the warm 70s and four (12%) were in the cold 40s. Extremes of the highs happened recently as the high in 2008 was 70 degrees while the high in 2009 was 46 degrees. O'Hare's warmest October 31st was in 1974 as the high was 77 (O'Hare's second hottest high of the date) with a low of 65 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). The other warm day was in 1968 as the high was 79 (O'Hare's hottest high of the date) with a low of 42. In summary, O'Hare's second warmest lows of the date were 54 degrees in 1981, 1997 and 1998. 

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1974 the high was 77 with a low of 65, a warm day and year of the record warmest low, also 65 at Midway. In 1973 the high was 49 with a low of 42, a seven degree spread. In 1972 the high was 46 with a low of 44, a two degree spread. In 1969 the high was 50 with a low of 47, a three degree spread. In 1968 the high was a warm 79 with a low of 42, a 37 degree spread and warm day. In 1967 the high was 51 with a low of 49, a two degree spread. In 1964 the high was 67 with a low of 29, a 38 degree spread. In 1959 the high was 50 with a low of 46, a four degree spread.

More recently, the large spread was 31 degrees in 1990 (73/42). There were small spreads of five degrees in 1998 (59/54) and seven degrees in 2005 (57/50).

On the cold side, in 1996 (O'Hare's coolest October 31st) the high was 40 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 26 (O'Hare's co-second coldest low of the date). Three years earlier, in 1993 (O'Hare's second coolest October 31st), the high was 44 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 25 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date). The other co-second coldest low was 26 degrees in 1988. The record low of 23 degrees and record coldest high of 31 degrees occurred on the same cold, winter-like day way back in 1873, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 23 of the last 33 lows (70%) were in the: 30s (11) and 40s (12). There were six consecutive 30s and 40s lows from 2006 through last year, 2011. Three lows (9%) were in the cold 20s. The 20s lows occurred in a nine year span from 1988 through 1996. Seven lows (21%) were in the warm 50s. The most recent 50s low was 50 degrees in 2005. For 14 years (from 1983 through 1996) lows were below 50 degrees. The past six years (from 2006 to 2011) have seen lows below 50 degrees.   

There's an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1996 the high was 40 with a low of 26, overall 14 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1997 the high was 65 with a low of 54, overall 12.5 degrees ABOVE normal. 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:57 and sunrise is at 7:26. Sunset is at 17:48 and twilight ends at 18:17. There's a total of 10 hours, 22 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 20 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:58 and sunrise is at 7:27. The moon is waning gibbous, having passed the full Hunter's moon two days ago at 14:49. Illumination was 98% at midnight, will be 97% at noon and 95% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 9:09 this morning. Moonrise is at 18:56 tonight. Moonset is at 10:02 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 13 minutes which is 16 minutes longer than yesterday. Moonlight time is near its peak today.

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through tomorrow, November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. Halloween is today. Standard Time returns in four days. Election Day is in six days. 

October 30: ORD

Today is October 30th. It's the 304th day of the year. 62 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 57 and the normal low is 39. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 61 and 40.

On the warm side, in 1999 the high was 76 (with 1974, O'Hare's second hottest high of the date) with a low of 56 (O'Hare's co-second warmest low of the date). A decade earlier, in 1989, the high was 75 with a low of 55. In 2004 the high was 72 with a low of 50. In 1990 the high was 73 with a low of 48. In 1998 the high was 65 with a low of 56 (O'Hare's co-second warmest low of the date). In 1981 the high was 75 with a low of 45, a 30 degree spread. The other warm highs were 72 degrees in 1987, 70 degrees in 2003, 70 degrees in 2006, 69 degrees in 1965 and 69 degrees in 1978. The record high of 85 degrees was set in 1950 at Midway. The record warmest low of 62 degrees occurred in 1974 at Midway. 28 of the past 33 highs (85%) were in the: 50s (8), 60s (12) and 70s (8). Three consecutive years (1983-1985) featured highs in the 50s. For 3 of 4 years, from 1987-1990 and from 2003-2006, highs were in the 70s. The more recent occurrence featured eight consecutive years (2003-2010) of highs in the 60s and 70s. Five highs were in the cold 40s. Our most recent 40s high was 48 degrees in 2002. O'Hare's warmest October 30th was in 1974 as the high was 76 (with 1999, O'Hare's second hottest high of the date) with a low of 62 (O'Hare's warmest and only 60s low of the date). O'Hare's second warmest October 30th was in 1971 as the high was 80 (O'Hare's hottest and only 80s high of the date) with a low of 55. The other warm low of 51 degrees occurred in 1960. 

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1978 the high was a warm 69 degrees. In 1976 the high was 49 with a low of 42, a seven degree spread. In 1974 the high was 76 with a low of 62, a warm day. 1974 was also the year of the record warmest low, also of 62 at Midway. In 1971 the high was 80 with a low of 55, a warm day. In 1968 the low was a cold 27 degrees. In 1966 the high was 52 with a cold low of 22, a 30 degree spread. In 1965 the high was a warm 69 degrees. In 1964 the high was 58 with a cold low of 24, a 34 degree spread. In 1963 the high was 58 with a cold low of 27, a 31 degree spread. In 1960 the low was a warm 51 degrees. 

More recently, there were large spreads of 36 degrees in 1987 (72/36), 32 degrees in 2006 (70/38), 31 degrees three years ago, in 2008 (62/31) and 30 degrees in 2003 (70/40). There were small spreads of four degrees in 1992 (46/42), five degrees in 1995 (45/40), five degrees in 2001 (52/47) and seven degrees in 2002 (48/41).

On the cold side, in 1988 (O'Hare's coolest October 30th) the high was 45 with the record low of 21. Five years later, in 1993 (O'Hare's second coolest October 30th), the high was 40 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 30. The other cold lows were 22 degrees in 1966 (O'Hare's second coldest low), 24 degrees in 1964, 24 degrees in 1980, 27 degrees in 1963 and 27 degrees in 1968. The other cold high was 45 degrees in 1995. The record coldest high of 28 degrees occurred back in 1917, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 26 of the last 33 lows (79%) were in the: 30s (14) and 40s (12). Lows were in the 30s and 40s for: eight consecutive years from 1990 through 1997 and seven consecutive years from 2005 through last year, 2011. Two lows (6%) were in the cold 20s. The 20s lows occurred in the 1980s (24 degrees in 1980 and the record low of 21 degrees in 1988). Five lows (15%) were in the warm 50s, most recently 50 degrees in 2004.

There's an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1988 the high was 45 with a low of 21, overall 15 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1989 the high was 75 with a low of 55, overall 17 degrees ABOVE normal. 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:56 and sunrise is at 7:25. Sunset is at 17:49 and twilight ends at 18:18. There's a total of 10 hours, 24 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 22 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:57 and sunrise is at 7:26. The moon is waning gibbous, having passed the full Hunter's moon yesterday at 14:49. Illumination was 100% at midnight, will be 99% at noon and 98% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 8:13 this morning. Moonrise is at 18:16 tonight. Moonset is at 9:09 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 57 minutes which is 24 minutes longer than yesterday.

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. Halloween is tomorrow. Standard Time returns in five days. Election Day is in seven days.   

October 29: ORD

Today is October 29th. It's the 303rd day of the year. 63 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 that, the official site was at various locations in Chicago going back to Monday, October 16, 1871. Observations taken from October 15, 1870 to October 8, 1871 were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 57 and the normal low is 39. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 58 and 39.

On the warm side, in 2004 (O'Hare's warmest October 29th) the high was 76 (O'Hare's second hottest high of the date) with a low of 61 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). The low was also 61 degrees in 1900. In 1989 (O'Hare's second warmest October 29th) the high was 74 with a low of 54. A couple of years later, in 1991, the high was 70 with a low of 55. In 1999 the high was the record high of 78 with a low of 45, a 33 degree spread. The other warm highs were 72 degrees in 1971 and 69 degrees in 1979. The record warmest low of 65 degrees was set in 1946 at Midway. 23 of the past 33 highs (70%) were in the: 50s (12) and 60s (11). Highs were in the 50s and 60s for: seven consecutive years from 1981 through 1987 and seven consecutive years from 2005 through last year, 2011. Four highs (12%) were in the warm 70s. Six highs (18%) were in the cold: 30s (1) and 40s (5). The last highs in the 40s and 70s came in back to back years (48 degrees in 2003 and 76 degrees in 2004). O'Hare's other warm days occurred in: 1961 (high of 70, low of 55) and 1974 (high of 64 and O'Hare's second warmest low of the date of 57). The other warm low of 51 degrees occurred in 1960.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1974 the high was 64 with a warm low of 57, a seven degree spread and warm day. In 1973 the high was 49 with a low of 44, a five degree spread. In 1971 the high was a warm 72 degrees. In 1966 the high was 48 with a cold low of 24, a cool day. In 1965 the high was 55 with a cold low of 22 degrees, a 33 degree spread. In 1964 the low was a cold 27 degrees. In 1963 the high was 57 with a cold low of 27, a 30 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 70 with a low of 55, a warm day. In 1960 the high was 58 with a warm low of 51, a seven degree spread.

More recently, there were additional large spreads of 33 degrees in 2005 (61/28), 31 degrees in 1984 (61/30) and 30 degrees in 1990 (60/30). There were small spreads of four degrees in 2002 (46/42) and six degrees in 1992 (48/42).

On the cool side, in 1988 (O'Hare's coolest October 29th) the high was 41 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date) with a low of 25. Five years later, in 1993 (O'Hare's second coolest October 29th), the high was 39 (O'Hare's coolest and only 30s high of the date) with a low of 30. In 1980 the high was 47 with a low of 25. Those lows of 25 degrees (1980 and 1988) are O'Hare's co-third coldest lows. The record low of 19 degrees and record coolest high of 29 degrees were set on the same cold day back in 1925, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 26 of the last 33 lows (79%) were in the: 30s (14) and 40s (12). Lows were in the 30s and 40s for: seven consecutive years from 1981 through 1987, six consecutive years from 1998 through 2003 and six consecutive years from 2006 through last year, 2011. Four lows (12%) were in the cold 20s. Three lows (9%) were in the warm: 50s (2) and 60s (1). The last lows in the 60s and 20s came in back to back years (61 degrees in 2004 and 28 degrees in 2005). O'Hare's other cool day was in 1966 (high of 48 and O'Hare's second coldest low of the date of 24). O'Hare's other cold lows are 22 degrees in 1965 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date) and 27 degrees in 1963.

There's an instance of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In 1988 the high was 41 with a low of 25, overall 15 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1989 the high was 74 with a low of 54, overall 16 degrees ABOVE normal. 

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:54 and sunrise is at 7:23. Sunset is at 17:50 and twilight ends at 18:19. There's a total of 10 hours, 27 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 25 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:56 and sunrise is at 7:25. The moon reaches the full Hunter's moon today at 14:49. Illumination was 100% at midnight, will be 100% at noon and 100% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 7:14 this morning. Moonrise is at 17:41 this afternoon. Moonset is at 8:13 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 33 minutes which is 27 minutes longer than yesterday. 

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. Halloween is in two days. Standard Time returns in six days. Election Day is in eight days. 

October 28: ORD

Today is October 28th. It's the 302nd day of the year. 64 days remain. It's week 44 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 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 58 and the normal low is 39. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 58 and 39.

On the warm side, in 1999 (O'Hare's warmest October 28th) the high was the record high of 80 (Chicago's only 80s high of the date) with a low of 48, a 32 degree spread. A decade earlier, in 1989 (O'Hare's second warmest October 28th), the high was 74 (O'Hare's second hottest high of the date and our most recent 70s high) with a low of 53 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date). In 1982 the high was 70 with a low of 54 (O'Hare's warmest low of the date). The other warm highs are 73 degrees in 1966, 73 degrees in 1983 and 71 degrees in 1986. As you can see, all of the post-1978 70s highs occurred between 1982 and 1989. The other warm low of 52 degrees occurred in 1991. The record warmest low of 58 degrees was set way back in 1896, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 15 of the past 33 highs (46%) were in the 50s. 12 highs (36%) were in the warm: 60s (7), 70s (4) and 80s (1). Six highs (18%) were in the cool 40s. Our most recent 60s high was 61 degrees in 2004. The other warm day was in 1974 as the high was 73 with a low of 50.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 49 with a cold low of 22, a cool day. In 1974 the high was a warm 73 with a low of 50, a warm day. In 1969 the high was 45 with a low of 25, a cold day. In 1968 the high was a cold 44 with a low of 39, a five degree spread. In 1967 the high was a cold 46 degrees. In 1966 the high was a warm 73 with a low of 37, a 36 degree spread. In 1965 the high was 48 with a cold low of 24, a cool day. In 1960 the high was 56 with a low of 49, a seven degree spread. In 1959 the high was 43 with a low of 25, a cold day.

More recently, there were additional large spreads of 34 degrees in 1981 (65/31) and 30 degrees in 1983 (73/43). There were small spreads of six degrees in 1991 (58/52), seven degrees in 2000 (53/46), seven degrees three years ago, in 2009 (57/50) and seven degrees two years ago, in 2010 (46/39).

On the cool side, in 1980 (tied with 1969 as O'Hare's second coolest October 28th) the high was 44 with a low of 26. In 1988 the high was 44 with a low of 30. O'Hare's second coolest highs of the date (44 degrees) were those just mentioned (in 1980 and 1988) and in 1968. The other cold low of 25 degrees occurred in 1997. The other cool highs were 45 degrees in 2008, 46 degrees in 1967 and 46 degrees two years ago in 2010. The record low of 19 degrees and record coolest high of 31 degrees were set on the same cold day back in 1925, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 27 of the last 33 lows (82%) were in the: 30s (17) and 40s (10). Our most recent 40s low was 46 degrees in 2004. Two lows were in the cold 20s. Four lows were in the warm 50s, three of them occurring in a ten year span from 1982 through 1991. O'Hare's coolest October 28th was in 1959 as the high was 43 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 25. Tied with 1980 as O'Hare's second coolest October 28th is 1969 (high of 45, low of 25). O'Hare's other cool 10/28 days are: 1976 (high of 49, low of 22) and 1965 (high of 48, low of 24 (O'Hare's second coldest low of the date)).  

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:53 and sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is at 17:51 and twilight ends at 18:20. There's a total of 10 hours, 29 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 27 minutes between twilights. We lost three minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:54 and sunrise is at 7:23. The moon is waxing gibbous, heading towards the full Hunter's moon tomorrow at 14:49. Illumination was 98% at midnight, will be 99% at noon and 100% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 6:15 this morning. Moonrise is at 17:09 this afternoon. Moonset is at 7:14 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 6 minutes which is 32 minutes longer than yesterday.

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. Halloween is in three days. Standard Time returns in seven days. Election Day is in nine days. 

October 27: ORD

Today is October 27th. It's the 301st day of the year. 65 days remain. It's week 43 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 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 58 and the normal low is 40. I've calculated the 33-year averages at 58 and 40.

On the warm side, in 1984 (O'Hare's warmest October 27th) the high was 76 (O'Hare's co-hottest high of the date) with the record warmest low of 63. In 1998 the high was 70 with a low of 56. In 1989 the high was 76 (O'Hare's other co-hottest high of the date) with a low of 49. In 2000 the high was 71 (our most recent 70s high) with a low of 51. The other warm highs were 72 degrees in 1974 and 70 degrees in 1966. The other warm lows were 53 degrees in 2004 and 52 degrees in 1996. The record high of 83 degrees was set back in 1927 at the University of Chicago. 28 of the past 33 highs (85%) were in the: 40s (7), 50s (10) and 60s (11). Four highs were in the warm 70s. One high was in the cold 30s (O'Hare's only 30s high of 38 degrees in 1997). There have been no highs in the 80s in the history of O'Hare on this date! O'Hare's second warmest October 27th was in 1971 as the high was 74 (O'Hare's second hottest high of the date) with a low of 54. O'Hare's other warm 10/27 was in 1970 as the high was 67 with a low of 60 (O'Hare's second warmest low of the date). 

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was 42 with a low of 23, a cold day. In 1974 the high was a warm 72 with a low of 38, a 34 degree spread. In 1971 the high was 74 with a low of 54, a warm day. In 1970 the high was 67 with a warm low of 60, a seven degree spread and warm day. In 1969 the high was 44 with a low of 28, a cold day. In 1967 the high was a cold 41 with a low of 34, a seven degree spread and cool day. In 1966 the high was a warm 70 degrees. In 1962 the high was 64 with a low of 34, a 30 degree spread. In 1961 the low was a cold 25 degrees. In 1959 the high was a cold 40 with a low of 33, a seven degree spread and cool day.

More recently, there were large spreads of 33 degrees in 1983 (65/32) and 32 degrees in 1982 (65/33). There were small spreads of six degrees in 1991 (53/47), six degrees three years ago, in 2009 (51/45), and seven degrees in 2006 (45/38).

On the cool side, in 1997 (O'Hare's coolest October 27th) the high was 38 (O'Hare's coolest high of the date) with a low of 26. In 1980 the high was 43 with a low of 27. In 2001 the high was 45 with a low of 30. The other cold low was O'Hare's second coldest low of 25 degrees in 1961. The other cold highs were 44 degrees in 2003, 45 degrees in 2006, 46 degrees in 1993 and 46 degrees in 2002. The record low of 24 degrees was set in 1942 at Midway. The record coolest high of 34 degrees was set in 1925, at a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 17 of the last 33 lows (52%) were in the 30s. 14 lows (42%) were in the: 40s (9), 50s (4) and 60s (1). The four lows in the 50s occurred in a nine year span from 1996 through 2004. The lone 60s low is the current record warmest low of 63 degrees in 1984. Two lows (6%) were in the cold 20s (27 degrees in 1980 and 26 degrees in 1997). O'Hare's second coolest October 27th was in 1976 as the high was 42 with a low of 23 (O'Hare's coldest low of the date and a low that's colder than the record low). The other cool days were in: 1969 (high of 44, low of 28), 1959 (high of 40 (O'Hare's second coolest high of the date), low of 33)) and 1967 (high of 41, low of 34).   

There's two instances of back-to-back years in which temperatures were just about as opposite as they can be. In the first instance, in 1997 the high was 38 with a low of 26, overall 17 degrees BELOW normal. Then in 1998 the high was 70 with a low of 56, overall 14 degrees ABOVE normal. In the second instance, in 2000 the high was 71 with a low of 51, overall 12 degrees ABOVE normal. Then in 2001 the high was 45 with a low of 30, overall 11.5 degrees BELOW normal.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:52 and sunrise is at 7:21. Sunset is at 17:53 and twilight ends at 18:22. There's a total of 10 hours, 32 minutes of daylight today and 11 hours, 30 minutes between twilights. We lost two minutes of daylight from yesterday. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:53 and sunrise is at 7:22. The moon is waxing gibbous, heading towards the full Hunter's moon in two days at 14:49. Illumination was 94% at midnight, will be 96% at noon and 98% at midnight tonight. Moonset was at 5:14 this morning. Moonrise is at 16:40 this afternoon. Moonset is at 6:15 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 34 minutes which is 33 minutes longer than yesterday.  

Warm Fall began September 22nd and runs for 41 days through November 1st. High temperatures in this period are usually in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Highs in the 30s and 40s occur infrequently. Halloween is in four days. Standard Time returns in eight days. Election Day is in ten days.