Our thanks go out to Kristi Ikemire who was kind enough to pass on these stunning photos of the recent ice storm taken by her father-in-law Chuck Stone. These photos were taken at Table Rock Lake right outside of Branson, Missouri. Power has not yet been restored to many of the severely glazed areas that stretch from northern Texas and Oklahoma all the way to the central Appalachians
Photos by Chuck Stone
Posted by Steve Kahn WGN Weather Center
Bill Recktenwald e-mails us from downstate Hardin County, Ill., which borders Kentucky on the Ohio River and includes these amazing post-ice and snow storm photos from Garden of the Gods road. He describes the ice which lingers on the trees there in the wake of this past week's storm there as having turned the trees into a crystal-like forest -- an apt description as you can see in these shots.
Many of you may recognize Bill’s name -- he reported over many years in the pages of the "Chicago Tribune," and his byline is very familiar to the paper's readers. Bill reports he's been able to mitigate problems associated with the widespread storm-related power outages to some extent which continue to plague many areas downstate. He tells us the damage was so extensive, residents of the area are being told it could be five or six days before everyone's power is restored there.
THANKS for the incredible photos and for the update, and stay safe and warm through all this, Bill! It's always great hearing from you!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Bill Recktenwald, Hardin County, Ill.
Here's a great sunrise picture from Sheldon Faworski in northwestern Illinois. Sheldon tells us:
I was letting my dogs out early this morning at app. 7:30am and the Sun was peeking between two cloud banks. (See image) This was taken in Elizabeth, IL. A few minutes later it started snowing.
Thanks for the shot Sheldon!
Thanks to Judy Walavich for sharing these wonderful photos!
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Photos courtesy of Judy Walavich, Lake Forest
Viewer Mary Moore phoned me earlier today (Monday) describing a vertical ray of light
she observed Monday morning and captured on a photograph taken by her friend Anna
Kowalczyk. The column of light emanated from the rising sun which was just breaking
above the horizon. Mary wondered what this phenomenon was and if it had a name. It
does indeed! What Anna's captured so beautifully in this photo is what is known as a
"light pillar"----a vertical column of light which emanates from a light source—in this
case, the sun. Light pillars are most often observed in the arctic, where bitterly COLD
temperatures such as those we've experienced here in recent days are common.
Suspended ice crystals in such air masses reflect light from a light source. This most
often occurs with the sun it is low to the horizon—as in this daybreak shot early
Monday morning (1/26). These pillars of light have been observed extending vertically
from streetlights---even the moon! We’ve had other inquiries about this phenomenon
in recent weeks—but Anna's photo is among the best example of the phenomenon
we've received. Thanks to Mary and Anna for sharing this with us---and thanks to all
who have inquired about the phenomenon.
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Anna Kowalcyzk
You've got love this!!! My colleague Eric Sorenson, Chief Meteorologist at WREX in
Rockford, sends this photo along. It was taken by his brother Mike, who while out on a
walk in Elmhurst over the weekend with Eric's two nieces, came across the HUGE
snowman---quite likely the area's largest! Eric—this is a riot! THANKS very much for
sharing this!!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Mike Sorenson, Elmhurst, Illinois and Eric Sorenson, Chief Meteorologist, WREX-TV Rockford
Here's a beautiful sunrise photo taken in St. Charles on Friday morning. Thanks to Brad Welsh for sharing this great picture with us!
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Photo courtesy of Brad Welsh
These frosty photos taken at Daytona Beach are courtesy of Marty Eisses, a former intern
of ours here in the WGN-TV weather office. According to Marty, morning temperatures
dipped to the middle 20s causing widespread frost. Thanks for sharing these with us
Marty.
Bill Snyder---WGN Weather Producer
Jim Flis e-mails to tell us this frog--like so many Chicagoans-- is weary of winter. It's a
great shot! Thanks Jim!
-Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of James Flis
Here's a great shot sent to us by John Smierciak who tells us:
"With all the lake effect snow we have been having recently I found this sunrise a nice cheer up this morning."
Thanks John!
Photo courtesy: John Smierciak
Here are some wonderful photos taken of the lake-effect snows in Indiana on Tuesday.
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Photos courtesy of Carolyn Szepanski, Whiting, Ind.
The photo above is a wonderful example of a sun pillar. The vertical shaft of light is formed when sun shines through ice crystals.
Photos courtesy of Gerry From Valparaiso
Sue Gesmond's series of pictures shows the winter wonderland created by lake effect
snowfall over her Portage, Indiana residence.
The reflective snow cover which covers the Midwest is evident in this areal shot west of Milwaukee at the 5,000 ft. level
Anson Mount, our friend and a pilot always on the go, sends us this shot taken Monday morning as he was flying over southern Wisconsin. Anson tells us,
"Shot this west of Milwaukee at 5000 ft. You can see Chicago of you follow the shoreline. The steam plume is the Kenosha power plant. Visibility was fantastic! Look at those cirrus clouds to the southeast."
Great photo as always—and THANKS for sharing it with us, Anson! By the way, happy birthday wishes are in order to Anson!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Anson Mount, Algonquin, Illinois
Check out Amanda Pickett's latest incredible close-up snowflake shots! They are being shot on her new camera. Amanda tells us,
"The camera can see detail I could never see with my eyes alone."
They are stunning shots! MANY THANKS, Amanda!!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Amanda Pickett
Rachelle Moore’s sister lives in Anchorage, Alaska and took these photos during that city’s multi-week sub-zero spell, which ended with 40s and a record 50-degree temperature last week. These are beautiful. Thank your sister for us, Rachelle---and thank YOU for sharing them with us!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Rachelle Moore and her sister who lives in Anchorage, Alaska
Another set of extraordinary photos from our friend Jim Marocchi of
Winfield. Jim writes,
" During the peak of our recent cold spell, I tried to capture the
frost/ice that was on our porch windows. These really carry that cold
winter feeling, but with the beauty of the ice. Thought you might like
to see them, a direct result of -20 degree temps in the Winfield area."
They are spectacular shots, Jim! THANKS for sharing them with us!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Jim Marocchi, Winfield, Illinois
You don't want to be standing under these icicles shown by Susan Moran in Belvidere, Ill. Thanks Susan for the photo!
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
Michael Poczatek snapped the picture below around sunrise. He described the scene as "
eerie -- it seemed the clouds were frozen solid and sitting on the surface of the lake."
Photo courtesy of Michael Poczatek
Michael Lasky shares these beautiful pictures of Lake Michigan this morning.
Photos courtesy of Michael Lasky
Thanks to both for these wonderful images!
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Heather Nichols shares this photo of Scott Poling and Paul Eident of Oswego after a very cold morning run. Thanks to all three for sharing this great photo!
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Photo courtesy of Heather Nichols
Nina Catanese braved this morning's chill to snap this picture of the thermometer at her home. Thanks Nina!
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Photo courtesy of Nina Catanese
Many people call it steam---these are actually tiny ice crystals coming off the Fox River
in Thursday mornings bitter cold. Jackie Hensley shares this great show with us! THANKS
Jackie—and please do your best to STAY WARM!! Many Fox Valley lows came in around or
below -20F this morning—and are headed into the same temperature territory Thursday
night/Friday morning!!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Jackie Hensley, DeKalb, Illinois
Jim Martino was kind enough to share some amazing snow pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula that he took earlier this week. Great for snowmobiling -- but not so great for moving parked cars. Thanks Jim!
—WGN-TV Weather Center
Photos courtesy of Jim Martino, Glendale Heights
Elliott Borchardt sent us these pictures of all the snow that piled up in Naperville
Photo courtesy: Elliott Borchardt
James Flis took this picture Wednesday afternoon in the middle of a heavy snow that
dumped three inches between 4 and 5PM on top of an already deep layer of snow in
Valparaiso, Indiana.
Photo courtesy: Jim Flis
Amanda Pickett said she "found the silver lining" in Wednesday's storm with these terrific
closeup snowflake shots in Winfield, Indiana.
Photo courtesy: Amanda Pickett, Winfield, Ind.
Wednesday afternoon moderate snow accumulated quickly on top of previous snow cover, maintaining single-lane traffic in Carolyn Szpanski's Whiting, Indiana neighborhood.
Photo courtesy: Carolyn Szepanski, Whiting, Ind.
Dan McGuinness sends us this spectacular shot of the snow-covered Chugach Mountains
and the Turnagain Arm near Anchorage in the midst of the recent spell of extreme cold
which has gripped our 49th state for nearly two weeks. This photo was taken from Beluga
Point on the Turnagain Arm southeast of Anchorage during an 11 day trip which took Dan
to the area over Christmas. This is such a great shot—THANKS Dan!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Dan McGuinness of Chicago
Check this out---Judy Walavich of Lake Forest shares this shot of an ice formation along
Lake Michigan there. Judy points out—and we agree with her---that it looks like the head
of a dog! Great shot---THANKS Judy!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Judy Walavich, Lake Forest, Illinois
Here are some pictures of south central Alaska where the deep freeze continues. These images were taken by Tom Skilling on his recent vacation there.
