It took a rare one-two punch by the remnants of two separate tropical systems to
produce the weekend's one-of-a-kind Midwest deluge. Rain fell in Chicago 48 of the
72 hours between Friday and Sunday and totaled 8.54 inches. There have been heavier
rains outside the city -- among them a 17-inch drenching that hit the west and
southern suburbs in July 1996 centered on Aurora and Naperville. It established a new
24 hour statewide record. But, only once before -- in August 1987 -- has more rain
fallen in a three day period in the city. Moisture associated with landfalling Pacific
Tropical Storm Lowell hit first on Saturday and was followed by Hurricane Ike's
remnants Sunday. The downpour has pushed September's rain tally to 12.61 inches --
a level near seven times normal at this point in the month and four times the full month
norm.
In the wake of the wet weekend, Monday's 63-degree high was Chicago's coolest since
the thermometer hit 62 degrees May 28.
WINTERS FOLLOWING WET SEPTEMBERS SHOW MODEST BIAS TOWARD SNOW
Snow enthusiasts may be encouraged to learn that 7 of 12 winters since 1895 which
followed wet Septembers ended up with more than the long-term average amount of
snow.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
