WEATHER SNAP SHOTS: December 2007 Archives

Hoar frost—the product of dense fog across our western suburbs in recent days—is behind these stunning scenes in DeKalb County as photographed by David Lindgren and forwarded to us. David, who farms there on the University of Illinois Research Farm, has shared spectacular weather shots with us on a number of occasions in the past and shares weather observational data with us. These shots rank among our favorites from David! Visibilities dropped below ¼ mile in that region last evening producing the picturesque coating of ice and ice crystals you see here. Thanks for sharing these with us David!

Tom Skilling

Here, in additional to the stunning frost vistas, David Lindgren tells us we’re looking at the original barn on the University of Illinois Research farm in DeKalb County.

Photos courtesy of David Lindgren, DeKalb County

Jim Bayne sends us this great photo of the Sears Tower poking above
Monday morning's stratus and the day's inversion layer. Thanks Jim!

Photo courtesy of Jim Bayne

Temperatures inched above freezing for a time Tuesday—slowing if not halting altogether—the ice build-up in much of the Chicago metro area. Jeremy and Sarah share these shots of the ice Tuesday morning across the Lake in the Hills area. A wind shift to the northwest is introducing colder air, not only at the surface but at cloud level. It’s a development which is to allow rain to turn to “freezing rain”—a state in which it begins to turn to ice upon contact with a number of outdoor surfaces. As the cooling continues, mixed ice pellets or even some flakes of snow can’t be ruled out Tuesday night, though precipitation rates should be easing late tonight.

Thanks to Jeremy and Sarah for the great photos!

Tom Skilling

More spectacular shots from ice storm-ravaged Oklahoma

Another of our former weather office interns Troy Christensen---who continues his meteorology studies at the University of Oklahoma---sends us these amazing photos of the horrific ice storm which has crippled sections of Oklahoma Sunday and Monday. Troy tells us:

" I just got my power back a couple of minutes ago, and I wanted to send you guys some pictures from the ice storm down here in Norman. According to the local electric company, more houses were without power today than at any time in history. Last night, it sounded like fireworks all over the place from snapping tree limbs and branches. We got about an inch or an inch and a half of ice."

Many thanks, Troy!

Tom Skilling

Photos by Troy Christensen

Former WGN intern Marty Eisses currently in Okahoma sent along this fantastic picture of the Oklahoma City landscape during the current ice storm which began there on Saturday night.

Marty tells us that.. Freezing rain began Saturday night. As of Sunday, 1030 p.m. there is about 1/4-3/16 of an inch on the cars and tree branches. I can see many blue flashes lighting up the sky as transformers are blowing. The National Weather Service there is forecasting about 0.3-0.8 of an inch of ice thru Tuesday

Photo by Marty Eisses

Brent Gilles, who interned with us a year ago and now works in Norman, Oklahoma, forwards us these amazing pictures of the icestorm which has decimated sections of that state. Brent reports his power out and says he can’t leave his apartment complex because downed trees have blocked his exit. Stay safe Brent—and many thanks for the update!

Tom Skilling

From Winter in northern Wisconsin come these photos from our friend and regular photo contributor Dan Hanson. The North Woods of Wisconsin has seen snow nearly every day recently, Dan reports, and the flakes coming down today are big. He reports Winter’s snow accumulation from the latest system is 8”. Thanks for the update Dan, and stay warm!

Tom Skilling

Photos courtesy Dan Hanson, Winter, Wisconsin

Elizabeth Stock shares these shots of snow-covered Belmont Harbor with us in the wake of Tuesday night/Wednesday’s 3-9” area snowfall. Thanks Elizabeth!

-Tom Skilling

Bette Morrow of Mokena shares this shot of Tuesday night’s snow with us. Thanks Bette!

Tom Skilling

Winter’s underway big time in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. My friend and meteorological colleague John Dee, who lives on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula—the “finger” of land on the U.P. into Lake Superior and often receives phenomenal amounts of winter snow, e-mailed the following report I thought you might find interesting:

“Since last Thursday (Nov 27th), I have picked up 39 1/2" of snow at my house and have 24" on the ground. The kick off to all of this happened last Tuesday in white out conditions caused by 4" of snow in 1 hour combined with 71 mph winds! I have never seen it snow and blow so hard at the same time. I know seasonal forecasting is like throwing a dart at a wall, but looking back, there is some historical connection between mild autumns up here and an abrupt change to winter late in November leading to a cold and snowy winter for these parts. I have also noticed that the Keweenaw can many times be the "canary in the coal mine" for the rest of the Midwest. Meaning if we start out our winter cold and snowy it can foretell the same for not just us, but much of the northern 1/2 of the Midwest for the rest of the winter.”

Interesting observations and a great photo of the snow up your way over the weekend, John! Many thanks!

-Tom Skilling

Photo courtesy: John Dee

Jay Kleeman shares these photographs of this past weekend’s storm. The system ended up producing 0.86” water equivalent precipitation, of which 1.2” fell as snow—even as the vast majority of the storm’s moisture fell as supercooled liquid (freezing rain), coating all outdoor objects with ice. Many thanks to Jay for sharing these shots of the storm with us! Now we prepare for snow—expected to blow off the lake as flurries Tuesday then build to steadier “system” snow Tuesday night and, finally, to incorporate some lake moisture Wednesday. The area should take on a snow-covered winter wonderland appearance Tuesday night and Wednesday!

Tom Skilling
Chief Meteorologist

Photo courtesy: Jay Kleeman