WEATHER KAHNNECTIONS: October 2004 Archives

GALES OF NOVEMBER COME EARLY
Today's storm is so typical of this time of year as we transition from the sunny mild days of early autumn to the dark, chilly gloom of November.

Today is a "backwards" day in Arlington Heights. Temps fell from a balmy 69º around midnight this morning to the low 50s late this afternoon. Tonight we turn the clocks backwards setting the stage for Halloween's early 4:46 p.m. CST sunset.

Strong gale force winds gusting to more than 40 m.p.h. blasted the area all day, removing most lingering leaves from the trees and raising whitecaps on Lake Arlington.

Steve Kahn

A balmy Saturday afternoon in Arlington Heights with a smell of "spring" in the air. Waves of showers and thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday morning brought 1.25" of rain. Sun in and out of clouds this afternoon with a gusty south winds to about 30 m.p.h.and temperatures in the lower 70s. Sure doesn't seem like late October.

Steve Kahn

This weekend's Midwest storm is very similar to a major storm that struck the Midwest almost 3 years ago to the date on October 24, 2001. The storm produced a major severe weather outbreak in the southeastern Midwest and a major snowstorm in northwestern sections.

This weekend's storm is likely to produce severe weather across the central and southern Midwest, but not the snow to the north.

You can check out the details of the 2001 storm on this summary prepared by the Midwest Climate Center in Champaign.

Steve Kahn and Paul Dailey

What a wonderful new forum for reporting, discussing and learning about Chicago's weather.

Steve Kahn