A Mild and Rather Wet Ending to October 2004

With the week ahead upper jet stream flow pattern expected to be southwesterly, the primary track of weather systems will be north of Chicago. Temperatures are expected to average some 8° above normal; and with showers forecast on five days out of the next seven, significant rainfall appears in store. Six of this month’s first nine days warmed up to 70° or higher. Since that time readings have struggled to reach the 60° mark, that is until yesterday’s high of 76°. Weather historian Frank Wachowski says the average number of 70° days in October is eight; so with as many as two more possible this week, Chicagoans have a good chance of experiencing at least the “normal” number of 70° days this October.
Yesterday’s 1.17” at O’Hare airport makes the official monthly total rainfall 2.17”. With computer models indicating an inch or more possible by week’s end, this month’s “normal” precip total of 2.71” could easily be exceeded.