Chicago’s 2005 growing season, defined by the number of days between the last and first frost, officially ended early Friday—nearly two weeks later than its normal Oct. 15 conclusion. A typical growing season here runs 187 days. But this year’s drought-plagued season extended an extra three weeks to 208 days.
Earth is headed for one of its closest encounters with Mars in more than two years Saturday night. The two planets won’t be closer than the 43.1 million miles which separates them at 9 p.m. tonight until the year 2018. Astronomer Dan Joyce advises that Mars will appear above the eastern horizon as a fiery yellow point of light at the time the “close” pass takes place.
The metro area’s coldest autumn temperatures to date were behind the widespread frost and included 31° at O’Hare Airport—but readings were as low as 23° in west suburban Aurora.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
