WEATHER SNAP SHOTS: March 2008 Archives

Chris and his wife Kim share these 5:10 p.m. Thursday photos of hail which fell in far south suburban Bradley near Kankakee. Chris reports the temperature there was around 40 degrees and asks if the presence of hail doesn't indicate an increased threat for tornadoes. That’s a great question.

It is true that thunderstorms strong enough to produce twisters almost always produce large hail -- and in a number of cases, very large hail. The converse, however, isn't always true -- that hail-bearing thunderstorms necessarily produce tornadoes. Thanks Chris for sharing these photos with us!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photos courtesy of Chris Veldhuizen, Bradley, Ill.

Our thanks to Paul Dunne of Duneland, Ind., for sending us this photo of Lake Michigan ice there on Thursday (March 27). Duneland Beach is near the Michigan border. Paul reports this is the latest he’s seen such a lake ice formation in the 43 years he’s lived there!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photos courtesy of Paul Dunne, Duneland Beach, Ind.

Thanks to Anson Mount for this shot of Thursday afternoon's snow at Algonquin. Snowfall there has reached 1.5", Anson tells us. Thunder and lightning has accompanied the snow during the late afternoon and evening at Downers Grove and Oak Brook. Lightning data indicates the most prolific cloud to ground—236 strokes in the 10 minute period ending around 6:50 p.m. Thursday evening has occurred in the far southern suburbs. There are indications bursts of heavier snowfall is accompanying the east/northeast-bound thunderstorms there. Visibilities this afternoon and evening have dropped under one-quarter mile at times in the heaviest spells of snowfall. Full weather details on Thursday evening's Nine O'Clock News.

Tom Skilling
Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photo courtesy: Anson Mount

This set of photos, displaying views of Chicago’s Gold Coast area near State and Bellevue both before and during Friday’s snowstorm, come to us from Nick Liveris. Nick’s been so good about sharing his always wonderful weather shots in the past and we thank him for these photos as well. Last week’s system was the last thing many winter-weary Chicagoans needed. Thanks Nick!

Tom Skilling

BEFORE
AFTER

BEFORE
AFTER

Photos courtesy of Nick Liveris, Chicago

Thanks to Gisela Wielki for sharing this picture of an Easter snow egg as the city experiences its first "white Easter" in 30 years. Not since Easter Sunday March 26, 1978, when 2 inches of snow covered the ground, has Chicago had a snow covered spring holiday.
--By Steve Kahn, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist

Photo courtesy of Gisela Wielki

Thomas Nava, NWS Storm Spotter and Chicago Area Snow Team observer, shares these photos of Friday's snowstorm from the city's northwest side. He reports 6.1 inches was down by late Friday. THANKS Thomas!

--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photos courtesy of Thomas Nava, Chicago's Northwest Side

This set of photos of Navy Pier on Chicago's lakefront and sent to us by Creighton D. Fiscina illustrates the stunning weather shift between Thursday -- with its springlike temperatures and bright sun -- and Friday with its accumulating snow, 30-degree temperatures and near-40 m.p.h. wind gusts! Thanks Creighton -- how beautifully you've underscored the weather contrast!

--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photos courtesy of Creighton D. Fiscina, Navy Pier area of downtown Chicago’s lakefront

Nearly 4.5 inches of new covers the North Park section of Arlington Heights, reports Curt Renz, who relays this shot take late Friday evening there. Some additional snow is predicted overnight, so that may not be the area's final figure. Curt, an avid astronomy fan, complains that Friday's storm spoiled his Full Moon party! Our apologies, Curt -- and many thanks for the beautiful shot!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photo courtesy of Curt Renz, Arlington Heights, Illinois

Andy Casper of Belvidere displays quite a sense of humor about Friday's snow by building this 10-12 foot high Easter Bunny! The photo was relayed to me by friend and colleague Eric Sorensen, Chief Meteorologist at WREX-TV in Rockford. Thanks to both Andy and Eric for sharing the Easter Bunny photo with us!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

Photo courtesy of Andy Casper, Belvidere, Illinois

Our thanks to John Gehr who forwards us these photos from the Holland, Mich., area. It, like the area north of Chicago and north into Wisconsin, is bearing the brunt of this area's largest late-season storm in at least 16 years.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune

A new layer of wet snow has blanketed northern Wisconsin in the past day, clinging to trees and other outdoor surfaces as you can see in these photos from our friend Dan Hanson. He snapped these photos Thursday morning outside his home in Winter, Wisconsin. Thanks for sharing them with us, Dan!


Tom Sklling

Photos courtesy of Dan Hanson, Winter, Wisconsin

Ice lingers along Lake Michigan despite the arrival of milder temperatures in recent days. Jim Bayne shares this ice photograph with us from Oak Street Beach. Great shot--thanks Jim!

Tom Skilling

Photo courtesy of Jim Bayne, Chicago

Bret Renaud shares this great photos of our wintry, ice-packed Chicago shoreline looking south from the north side Rogers Park neighborhood. Beautiful shot! Many thanks Bret!

Tom Skilling

Photo courtesy: Bret Renaud

Keith Wrzala of Hampshire for shares this beautiful shot of Monday evening’s sunset with us! Thanks Keith!

Tom Skilling

Photo courtesy: Keith Wrzala