WEATHER SNAP SHOTS: February 2009 Archives

--WGN-TV Weather Center

Photo courtesy of Amy Rowan

Leave it to our friend Ryan Szekeres to send us beautiful shots like
these! Wednesday's mild weather--the warmest here in two weeks--was a
treat for all--even this Hawk which Ryan photographed on Northerly
Island along Chicago's beautiful lake front Wednesday. Thursday's rain
and downpour-generating thunderstorms accompanying chilly, raw winds off
still icy Lake Michigan couldn't be more different than the sunshine
picture here just yesterday! Thanks for the great shots, Ryan!

Tom Skilling

Photos courtesy of Ryan Szekeres, Chicago

Wednesday's mild weather appeared to do the trick in encouraging these flowering Winter
Aconite plants from the ground in the garden of Cathie and Gerry Klemm in Geneva,
Illinois. Gerry reports he expects to have 300 of these little beauties in a few weeks!
THANKS Cathie and Gerry for providing us wonderful visual evidence that spring is really
on the way—and good luck with garden this year! We’re sure it’s going to be terrific with
your green thumbs nurturing it!

Photos courtesy of: Cathie and Gerry Klemm

Carolyn Szepanski sent us this picture taken by her friend Mark Chryson who lives in Wasilla, Alaska. This picture was taken right outside his door!

Thanks for the picture Carolyn and Mark!

Photo courtesy of: Mark Chryson, Wasilla, Alaska

Thanks to retired Chicago Tribune/WGN employee Daniel Kowalec now living at Mescal, Arizona-about 45 miles east of Tucson for passing on these shots showing the 4 inches of snow that fell there. Pictured is the snow-covered Rincon mountain range east of Tuscon. Dan reports that the snow was great for making snowballs and snowmen.

--WGN-TV Weather Center

Our friend pilot Anson Mount shares these photos he took Thursday while 6,000 ft.
above Pontiac on a flight to Springfield in downstate Illinois. In his e-mail
accompanying the photos, he reports,

"The soil is saturated as you can see by all of the standing water."

Anson's photos included some wonderful airborne shots of crepuscular rays. THANKS for sharing these, Anson!

Tom Skilling

Photos courtesy of Anson Mount, Algonquin, Illinois

Stunning photos taken by former Chicagoan, Colleen Baker, around 12:30 Thursday
afternoon in Lakeland, Florida. Early morning temperatures there dipped to a frigid
27-degrees while her sprinkler system was running. This resulted in a thick layer of ice
coating trees, shrubs and even her patio table.

Thanks much Colleen for sharing these with us!
-Bill Snyder---WGN Weather Producer

Photos courtesy of Colleen Baker, Lakeland, Fla.

Jaclyn Janoski sent us these pictures of the lake-effect snow which buried Michigan City!

Photos courtesy of Jaclyn Janoski

Here are some pictures sent to us by Gayle Beschinski from Chesterton, Indiana.
Thanks for the shot's Gayle!

Photo courtesy of Gayle Beschinski

Here are more great pictures from the remarkable lake-effect snow event that hammered Northwest Indiana yesterday and today. Please keep these wonderful pictures coming!
—WGN-TV Weather Center

Photos courtesy of James Flis, Valparaiso

Photos courtesy of Dennis Rock, Valparaiso

Photo courtesy of Joe Scida, Valparaiso

These dramatic snowy photos were taken Tuesday afternoon by our former intern Aaron Brackett on the campus of Valparaiso University. Visibilities at times dipped to near zero amid the wind-whipped heavy snow as gusts approached 40 m.p.h. As of late Tuesday evening, 9 inches was reported from the lake-effect snow event—and more was to fall.
--By Bill Snyder, WGN-TV Weather Producer

Photos courtesy of Aaron Brackett

Here's a look at the near whiteout conditions in Chesterton, Ind. at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3:

Photo courtesy of Richard Vasquez

Here's a look at conditions in Valparaiso, Ind. at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3:

Photo courtesy of Kathy Pasley

Lake-effect snow in Valparaiso on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Allan McLean, Arlington Heights

Dave Hartke of Channahon shares this photo of a robin -- one of about 20 he and his daughter spotted Sunday, Feb. 1, while walking along the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail in Channahon. Dave commented:

"I was very surprised to see them so early especially with all the snow cover. I assume they flew in on the two days of warm southerly winds."

Seeing robins during the winter isn't as unusual as you might guess (read Tom's Ask Tom Why about this topic).

Thanks Dave for sharing your photo!
—WGN-TV Weather Center

Photo courtesy of Dave Hartke, Channahon, Ill.

Janet Cameron was kind enough to share this wonderful photo of an unidentified man feeding geese at Montrose Harbor on Sunday, Feb. 2. Thanks Janet!
—WGN-TV Weather Center

Photo courtesy of Janet Cameron