Friday, October 8, 2010

October 8: ORD

Today is October 8th. It's the 281st day of the year. 84 days remain. It's week 41 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 66 and the normal low is 45. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 66 and 46.


On the warm side, in 1997 the high was the record high of 88 with a low of 62. A decade later, in 2007, the high was 87 with a low of 60. Other warm highs were 80 in 2003 and 78 (our warmest 70s high) a decade earlier in 1993.
Other warm lows were 57: in 1984, 1999 and 2004. The record warmest low of 68 occurred in 1939. Over the last 31 years, 27 highs (87%) have been: 50s (7), 60s (11) and 70s (9). Three highs were in the warmer 80s and one high was in the cooler 40s. The three 80s highs occurred more recently, in 1997, 2003 and 2007. Seven of the nine 70s highs occurred between 1980 and 1993. Then there was a decade long 70s drought between 1994 and 2003. Our most recent 70s highs were 72 in 2006 and 70 in 2004.

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 58 with a cold low of 31, a cool day. In 1974 the high was 67 with a low of 35, a 32 degree spread. In 1970 the high was 67 with a warm low of 63, a four degree spread. In 1966 the high was a warm 80 with a low of 55, a warm day. In 1963 the high was 75 with a low of 41, a 34 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 76 with a low of 46, a 30 degree spread.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 35 degrees in 1982 (75/40), 32 degrees in 2003 (80/48) and 30 degrees in 1993 (78/48). There were small spreads of six degrees in 1990 (53/47) and seven degrees in 1999 (64/57).

On the cool side, in 2000 the high was 46 with a low of 31. In 1987 the high was 56 with the record low of 27. In 1989 the high was 55 with a low of 34. Other cool highs were 50 in 1996, 53 in 1990, 53 in 2005 and 53 last year. The record coolest high stands at 41, which occurred way back in 1895. 19 of the last 31 lows were 40s. Four lows were in the cooler: 20s (1) and 30s (3). Eight lows were in the warmer: 50s (6) and 60s (2).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:30 and sunrise is at 6:58. Sunset is at 18:23 and twilight ends at 18:51. There's a total of 11 hours, 25 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 21 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:31 and sunrise is at 6:59. The moon is waxing crescent and was new yesterday afternoon at 13:44. Illumination was 1% at midnight, will be 2% at noon and 3% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 8:09 this morning. Moonset is at 18:34 tonight. Moonrise is at 9:25 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 25 minutes which is 44 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in three days and United Nation's Day is in 16 days. -Bernie-

October 7: ORD

Today is October 7th. It's the 280th day of the year. 85 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 66 and the normal low is 45. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 65 and 44.


On the warm side, in 2007 the high was the record high of 87 with the record warmest low of 67. The former record high was 86 in 1947. The former record warmest low was 66 in 1914. A decade earlier, in 1997, the high was 84 with a low of 63. In 1993 the high was 81 with a low of 58. The next year, 1994, the high was 75 with a low of 61. Another warm high was 80 in 2003.
Another warm low was 60 in 1984. Over the last 31 years, 25 highs (81%) have been: 50s (7), 60s (11) and 70s (7). Four highs in the warmer 80s and two highs were in the cooler 40s. Both 40s highs were 49 degrees (1987 and 2000).

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 cool 54. In 1977 the high was a cool 53. In 1976 the high was a cool 50. In 1975 the high was 76 with a low of 43, a 33 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 54 with a low of 32, a cool day. In 1973 the low was a warm 58. In 1970 the high was 79 with a low of 63, a warm day. In 1966 the high was a warm 78 with a low of 47, a 31 degree spread. In 1964 the high was 68 with a cool low of 24, a 44 degree spread. That low of 24 is cooler than the record low. In 1963 the high was a warm 81 with a low of 49, a 32 degree spread. In 1962 the low was a warm 60. In 1959 the high was 61 with a warm low of 57, a mere four degree spread.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 39 degrees in 2003 (80/41), 35 degrees in 1985 (71/36), 33 degrees in 2004 (76/43), 33 degrees in 1980 (74/41) and 32 degrees in 1983 (77/45). There were small spreads of five degrees in 1984 (65/60), seven degrees in 1995 (53/46) and seven degrees two years ago (63/56).

On the cool side, in 2000 the high was 49 with a low of 30. In 1987 the high was also 49 with a low of 30. In 2001 the high was 52 with the record low of 29. The former record low of 30 occurred in both 1987 and 2000. Another cool low was 33 in 1991. Other cool highs were 53 in 1995 and 54 in 2005. The record coolest high stands at 47, which occurred way back in 1896. 22 of the last 31 lows (71%) were: 30s (9) and 40s (13). One low was in the cooler 20s. Eight lows were in the warmer: 50s (4) and 60s (4). Interestingly, the last 30s low was ten years ago in 2000 (30 degrees) and the lone 20s low (the record low of 29) occurred a year later in 2001. Eight of the nine 30s lows (89%) occurred between 1979 and 1991.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:29 and sunrise is at 6:57. Sunset is at 18:25 and twilight ends at 18:53. There's a total of 11 hours, 28 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 24 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:30 and sunrise is at 6:58. The moon is new this afternoon at 13:44. Illumination was 1% at midnight, will be 0% at noon and 1% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 6:51 this morning. Moonset is at 18:00 tonight. Moonrise is at 8:09 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 9 minutes which is 48 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in four days and United Nation's Day is in 17 days. -Bernie-

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October 6: ORD

Today is October 6th. It's the 279th day of the year. 86 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 67 and the normal low is 46. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 67 and 45.


On the warm side, in 2007 the high was 87 with a low of 69. In 1982 the high was 87 with a low of 61. In 1990 the high was 84 with a low of 60. In 1997 the high was 84 with a low of 56. The record high of 94 was set in 1963. The record warmest low of 70 occurred way back in 1879.
Over the last 31 years, 26 highs (84%) have been: 50s (9), 60s (9) and 70s (8). There were four highs in the warmer 80s and one high in the cooler 40s.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1970 the high was 79 with a low of 60, a warm day. In 1968 the high was 52 with a low of 48, a four degree spread. In 1966 the high was 67 with a cold low of 28, a 39 degree spread. That low of 28 is equal to the record low. In 1964 the high was 52 with a low of 25, a cold day. That low of 25 is cooler than the record low. In 1963 the high was 91 with a low of 58, a 33 degree spread and warm day. 1963 was the year of the record high of 94, set at Midway. In 1959 the low was a warm 58 degrees.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 34 degrees in 1993 (78/44), 34 degrees in 1992 (70/36) and 33 degrees in 1980 (70/37). There were no small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 2001 the high was 50 with a low of 30. A year earlier, in 2000, the high was 48 with a low of 34. In 1988 the high was 56 with a low of 30. In 1991 the high was 53 with a low of 35. Another cold low was 32 in 1985. Another cool high was 54 in 1987. The record low of 28 and record coolest high of 46 were set on the same cold day in 1952. 28 of the last 31 lows (90%) were: 30s (11), 40s (10) and 50s (7). Three lows were in the warmer 60s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:28 and sunrise is at 6:56. Sunset is at 18:26 and twilight ends at 18:54. There's a total of 11 hours, 30 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 26 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:29 and sunrise is at 6:57. The moon is waning crescent and will be new tomorrow afternoon at 13:44. Illumination was 4% at midnight, will be 2% at noon and 1% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 5:33 this morning. Moonset is at 17:30 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 6:51 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 11 hours, 57 minutes which is 49 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in five days and United Nation's Day is in 18 days. -Bernie-

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

October 5: ORD

Today is October 5th. It's the 278th day of the year. 87 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 67 and the normal low is 46. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 66 and 44.


On the warm side, in 2005 the high was 84 with the record warmest low of 69. The former record warmest low of 68 occurred in 1922. Three years ago the high was 84 with a low of 62. In 1982 the high was 86 with a low of 54, a 32 degree spread. In 1997 the high was the record high of 88 with a low of 52, a 36 degree spread. Another warm high was 85 in 1990. Another warm low was 58 in 1998.
Over the last 31 years, 16 highs have been in the 60s. There were seven highs in the warmer: 70s (2) and 80s (5) and eight highs in the cooler 50s. The 70s highs occurred 12 years ago (71 in 1998) and 27 years ago (70 in 1983).

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1975 the high was 75 with a low of 42, a 33 degree spread. In 1972 the high was 64 with a warm low of 59, a five degree spread. In 1970 the high was a warm 79 degrees. In 1969 the low was a warm 58 degrees. In 1968 the low was a cold 32 degrees. In 1966 the high was 61 with a cold low of 31, a 30 degree spread. In 1965 the high was 60 with a cold low of 30, a 30 degree spread and a cool day. In 1963 the high was a hot 86 degrees with a low of 45, a 41 degree spread. A spread of 40 degrees or more is rare. In 1960 the high was a warm 79 degrees. In 1959 the low was a warm 58 degrees.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 34 degrees in 1990 (85/51), 30 degrees in 1996 (69/39) and 30 degrees in 1993 (64/34). There was a small spread of four degrees in 1995 (60/56).

On the cool side, in 1980 the high was 54 with the record low of 28. In 1988 the high was 54 with a low of 32. In 2004 the high was 60 with a low of 31. Another cool low was 34 in 1993. Another cool high was 51 in 2001. 22 of the last 31 lows (71%) were: 30s (9) and 40s (13). One low was in the cooler 20s. Eight lows were in the warmer: 50s (6) and 60s (2). The last 50s low occurred 12 years ago in 1998 (58 degrees).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:27 and sunrise is at 6:55. Sunset is at 18:28 and twilight ends at 18:56. There's a total of 11 hours, 33 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 29 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:28 and sunrise is at 6:56. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 10% at midnight, will be 6% at noon and 4% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 4:15 this morning. Moonset is at 17:01 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 5:33 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 12 hours, 46 minutes which is 47 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in six days and United Nation's Day is in 19 days. -Bernie-

Monday, October 4, 2010

October 4: ORD

Today is October 4th. It's the 277th day of the year. 88 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 67 and the normal low is 47. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 65 and 45.


On the warm side, in 2005 the high was 87 with the record warmest low of 71. This was the warmest October 4 in O'Hare's history. The former record warmest low of 69 occurred in 1922. Also, that low of 71 tied October 1, 1971 as the warmest October low ever. Another warm high was 82 three years ago. The record high of 90 was set in 1951
. Over the last 31 years, 24 highs (77%) have been: 50s (8) and 60s (16). There were seven highs in the warmer: 70s (5) and 80s (2). There have been just five 80s highs this day in 51 years of record-keeping at O'Hare. The other three are included in the next section.

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 a warm 82. In 1975 the high was 75 with a low of 44, a 31 degree spread. In 1969 the high was 80 with a low of 61, a warm day. In 1968 the low was a cool 35 degrees. In 1967 the high was 87 with a low of 66, a hot day (the second hottest of the date). In 1965 the high was 57 with a low of 33, a cool day. In 1963 the high was 73 with a low of 41, a 32 degree spread. In 1959 the high was 60 with a low of 55, a five degree spread.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 36 degrees in 1982 (77/41), 33 degrees in 1987 (69/36), 32 degrees in 1984 (70/38), 31 degrees in 2007 (82/51) and 31 degrees in 1993 (65/34). There were no small spreads of up to seven degrees.

On the cool side, in 1980 the high was 51 with the co-record low of 32. In 1988 the high was 52 with a low of 36. Other cool lows were the other co-record low of 32 in 1989, 34 in 1993 and 35 in 1996. Another cool high was 54 in 1999. 30 of the last 31 lows (97%) were: 30s (11), 40s (9) and 50s (10). One low was in the warmer 70s (71 in 2005). There have been no lows in the 60s over the last 31 years.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:26 and sunrise is at 6:54. Sunset is at 18:30 and twilight ends at 18:58. There's a total of 11 hours, 36 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 32 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:27 and sunrise is at 6:55. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 18% at midnight, will be 13% at noon and 10% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 2:59 this morning. Moonset is at 16:32 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 4:15 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 13 hours, 33 minutes which is 45 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in seven days. -Bernie-

Sunday, October 3, 2010

October 3: ORD

Today is October 3rd. It's the 276th day of the year. 89 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 68 and the normal low is 47. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 68 and 47.


On the warm side, in 2005 the high was 85 with the record warmest low of 70. The former record warmest low of 69 occurred in 1922. In 1997 the high was 87 with a low of 60. In 1983 the high was 80 with a low of 61. Other warm highs were 82 in 1992, 82 in 2006 and 81 in 1990. Another warm low was 61 in 1986. The record high of 91 was set in 1954
. Over the last 31 years, four of the five categories of highs have been almost equal: 50s (6), 60s (7), 70s (10) and 80s (6). This is 29 of 31 or 94%. There were two highs in the cooler 40s .

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1976 the high was a warm 83 with a low of 51, a 32 degree spread. In 1975 the high was 71 with a low of 38, a 33 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 60 with a cold low of 28, a 32 degree spread and cool day. That low of 28 was cooler than the record low. In 1967 the high was 81 with a low of 61, a warm day. In 1964 the high was 76 with a low of 44, a 32 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 60 with a cold low of 30, a 30 degree spread and cool day.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 38 degrees in 1993 (71/33), 34 degrees in 2004 (70/36), 32 degrees in 1984 (75/43), 31 degrees in 1992 (82/51), 31 degrees in 1985 (68/37), 30 degrees in 1990 (81/51) and 30 degrees in 1982 (75/45). There was a small spread of seven degrees in 1998 (58/51).

On the cool side, in 1987 the high was 54 with a low of 31. In 1980 the high was 49 with a low of 37. In 1999 the high was the record coolest high of 47 with a low of 41, a six degree spread. In 1989 the high was 53 with a low of 35. In 1981 the high was 61 with the record low of 29, a 32 degree spread. In 1996 the high was 55 with a low of 38. Another cool low was 33 in 1993. Another cool high was 53 in 2003. 26 of the last 31 lows (84%) were: 30s (7), 40s (9) and 50s (10). One low was in cooler 20s (29 in 1981). Four lows were in the warmer: 60s (3) and 70s (1).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:25 and sunrise is at 6:53. Sunset is at 18:31 and twilight ends at 18:59. There's a total of 11 hours, 38 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 34 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:26 and sunrise is at 6:54. The moon is waning crescent. Illumination was 27% at midnight, will be 22% at noon and 18% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 1:43 this morning. Moonset is at 16:01 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 2:59 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 18 minutes which is 40 minutes shorter than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in eight days. -Bernie-

Saturday, October 2, 2010

October 2: ORD

Today is October 2nd. It's the 275th day of the year. 90 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 69 and the normal low is 48. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 69 and 46.


On the warm side, in 1991 the high was 80 with a low of 59. Other warm highs were 88 in 1983, 84 in 2005, 81 in 1982 and 81 in 2000. Other warm lows were 61 in 2006, 60 in 1986 and 60 in 2002. In 1971 the record high of 91 and record warmest low of 69 were established
at Midway. Over the last 31 years, the four categories of highs have been almost equal: 50s (8), 60s (10), 70s (7) and 80s (6). Interestingly, although the 60s are most represented, only one 60 degree high has occurred in the last 13 years. This was 61 two years ago in 2008. Of the 12 other highs, five have been 50s, four have been 70s and three have been 80s. The 60s were most in vogue from 1984 to 1989 when five of those six years had one.

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 80 with a low of 49, a 31 degree spread. In 1975 the high was a cool 57 degrees. In 1974 the high was 50 with a low of 27, a cool day. That low of 27 was cooler than the record low of 28 which was set this same year at Midway. In 1972 the high was 78 with a low of 46, a 32 degree spread. In 1971 the high was 89 with a low of 69, a hot day. 1971 was the year of the record high of 91 and record warmest low of 69, both set at Midway. In 1967 the high was 84 with a low of 61, a hot day. In 1966 the high was 69 with a cool low of 33 degrees, a 36 degree spread. In 1963 the high was a warm 82 degrees. In 1962 the low was a warm 60. In 1961 the high was 52 with a low of 30, a cool day.


More recently, there were
large spreads of 39 degrees in 1983 (88/49), 37 degrees in 1997 (79/42), 34 degrees in 1990 (73/39), 32 degrees in 1982 (81/49), 32 degrees in 2001 (80/48), 31 degrees in 1984 (68/37), 30 degrees in 1992 (78/48) and 30 degrees in 2005 (84/54). There was a small spread of seven degrees in 1986 (67/60).

On the cool side, in 2003 the high was 53 with a low of 31. In 1981 the high was 52 with a low of 32. In 1993 the high was 55 with a low of 33. In 1999 the high was 55 with a low of 36. In 1987 the high was 58 with a low of 33. Another cool low was 34 in 1985. Other cool highs were 56 last year and 57 in 1998. The record low of 28 was set in 1974 and the record coolest high of 48 was set way back in 1888, a time when the official readings were taken adjacent to Lake Michigan. 28 of the last 31 lows (90%) were: 30s (9), 40s (12) and 50s (7). Three lows were in the warmer 60s. The tallies of lows over the last eight years has been an even mix: two 30s, two 40s, two 50s and two 60s. There was a 15 year absence of a low in the 60s between the low of 60 in 1986 to the low, also 60, in 2002.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:23 and sunrise is at 6:51. Sunset is at 18:33 and twilight ends at 19:01. There's a total of 11 hours, 42 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 38 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:25 and sunrise is at 6:53. The moon reached last quarter two nights ago at 22:52 and is waning crescent. Illumination was 38% at midnight, will be 33% at noon and 27% at midnight tonight. Moonrise is at 29 minutes past midnight. Moonset is at 15:27 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 1:43 tomorrow morning. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 58 minutes which is 11 minutes longer than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in nine days. -Bernie-

Friday, October 1, 2010

October 1: ORD

Today is October 1st. It's the 274th day of the year. 91 days remain. It's week 40 of the year.

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


According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 69 and the normal low is 48. I've calculated the 31-year averages at 70 and 47.


On the warm side, in 2002 the high was 82 (our most recent 80s high) with a low of 67. In 2000 the high was 83 with a low of 61. Another warm high was 81 in 1983. To complete the highs in the 80s, it was 80 in 1980. In 1971 the record high of 92 and record warmest low of 71 were established
. Over the last 31 years, 24 highs (77%) were: 60s (9) and 70s (15). Four highs were in the warmer 80s. Two of these happened between 1980 and 1983 and two of them occurred between 2000 and 2002. There were three highs in the cooler 50s. The most recent was last year's 59.

In looking back through the years to the first October at O'Hare in 1959, the following instances were notable: in 1977 the high was 60 with a low of 55, a five degree spread. In 1976 the high was a warm 82 with a low of 46, a 36 degree spread. In 1974 the high was 52 with a low of 33, a cool day. 1974 was the year of the record low of 32, set at Midway. In 1973 the low was a warm 60. In 1971 the high was 90 with a low of 71, a hot day. 1971 was the year of the record high of 92 and record warmest low of 71, both set at Midway. In 1969 the high was a hot 85 with a low of 58, a hot day. In 1968 the high was 80 with a warm low of 61, a warm day. In 1967 the high was 77 with a low of 42, a 35 degree spread. In 1966 the low was a cool 34 degrees. In 1963 the high was a warm 82 with a low of 51, a 31 degree spread. In 1961 the high was 51 with a low of 34, a cool day. 1961 was the year of the record coolest high of 49, set
at Midway.

More recently, there were
large spreads of 38 degrees in 1981 (76/38), 36 degrees in 1987 (73/37), 35 degrees in 1983 (81/46), 34 degrees in 1979 (77/43), 33 degrees in 1992 (74/41), 32 degrees in 1984 (65/33) and 30 degrees in 2006 (74/44). There was a small spread of four degrees in 1986 (61/57).

On the cool side, in 2003 the high was 53 with a low of 34. In 1985 the high was 55 with a low of 34. An interesting fact was that highs in the back to back to back years of 1997, 1998 and 1999 were 60, some of the coolest highs of October 1st. Another cool low was 33 in 1984. We had a 15 year reprieve from lows in the 30s from 1988 to 2002. The record low of 32 was set in 1974 and the record coolest high of 49 was set in 1961. 24 of the last 31 lows (77%) were: 40s (15) and 50s (9). Five lows were in the cooler 30s. Four of these five occurred between 1981 and 1987 with a lone one in 2003. Two lows were in the warmer 60s, just two years apart (2000 and 2002).

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 6:22 and sunrise is at 6:50. Sunset is at 18:35 and twilight ends at 19:03. There's a total of 11 hours, 45 minutes of daylight today and 12 hours, 41 minutes between twilights. We are losing two or three minutes of daylight a day. Tomorrow twilight begins at 6:23 and sunrise is at 6:51. The moon reached last quarter last night at 22:52 and is waning crescent. Illumination was 49% at midnight, will be 44% at noon and 38% at midnight tonight. Moonset is at 14:47 this afternoon. Moonrise is at 29 minutes past midnight tonight. Moonset is at 15:27 tomorrow afternoon. Moonlight time is 14 hours, 47 minutes which is 4 minutes longer than yesterday.

Columbus Day is in ten days. -Bernie-