Dear Tom,
Is it my imagination or has this been the grayest, cloudiest winter ever?
-- Erin O'Connor
Dear Erin,
Your impressions are right on. It has been a very cloudy winter to date. However, as dreary as it's been, it has been worse.
According to Chicago climatologist Frank Wachowski, since Dec. 1, this winter has logged 27 totally sunless days. Since the inception of sunshine records in 1894, only three winters have had more cloudy days through the end of January: 1997-98 with 33, 1968-69 with 30 and 1940-41 with 28.
Wachowski noted that this winter has featured extended sunless periods; an eight-day string from Dec. 17-24 and more recently a seven-day stretch from Jan. 20-26.
Is it my imagination or has this been the grayest, cloudiest winter ever?
-- Erin O'Connor
Dear Erin,
Your impressions are right on. It has been a very cloudy winter to date. However, as dreary as it's been, it has been worse.
According to Chicago climatologist Frank Wachowski, since Dec. 1, this winter has logged 27 totally sunless days. Since the inception of sunshine records in 1894, only three winters have had more cloudy days through the end of January: 1997-98 with 33, 1968-69 with 30 and 1940-41 with 28.
Wachowski noted that this winter has featured extended sunless periods; an eight-day string from Dec. 17-24 and more recently a seven-day stretch from Jan. 20-26.
It has been cloudy but so what right?? This is the Beautiful city of Chicago and Winter is part of it just like spring,fall and Summer. Enjoy the change of seasons because take it from someone who has lived in Southern California and Florida. The same weather day after day is No Picnic.
WHY do we have so much cloudiness? - especially compared to other cities
WHY do we so often have clear early mornings, and then by maybe 11 am the clouds come in and stay all the rest of the day?
Thanks
The Niles West High School Astronomy Class is angered by the lack of clear nights this winter. Various observational projects have been stymied by all the clouds. Tom Skilling, we are losing faith! Show us some stars! We have already missed the wolf moon, Mars at opposition and observations of the gorgeous winter constellations, including the Orion and its nebula. We, the astronomy students at Niles West, know that you might not control the weather in Chicago, but we believe that you are very influential. Mr. Skilling, BRING US SOME CLEAR SKIES! Thank you very much.
The Niles West Astronomy Class