| 2025-05-09 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 9 May: CLRwFRST 39.2° REL HMDTY 86% AIR QLTY 24 DP 35.2° WND N 8.1 MPH WND CHILL 32.8° BRM 30.19 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:39 Sunset 7:58. 8 May: Hi 61.2° (1255) Lo 37.2° (0410) HDD 15 GUST NE 30 MPH (0845). *** The Chicago lakefront temperature fell from 84° at 1:47 p.m. to 62° 150 seconds later on this date in 1963. At Wrigley Field the Cubs hit their way to an early lead over Pittsburgh before the radical temperature change. During the 7 ½ innings of the tilt hurriedly played after the mercury dropped, only three batters garnered hits but the Northsiders held on for a rare 3-1 triumph. NNNN |
| 2025-05-08 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 8 May: PRTLY CLDY 48.2° REL HMDTY 83% AIR QLTY 17 DP 43.3° WND N 20.9 MPH WND CHILL 41.2° BRM 30.06 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:40 Sunset 7:57. 7 May: Hi 78.3° (1325) Lo 47.8° (0310) HDD 3 GUST NE 26 MPH (1855). *** Raw, windy day with a cloudy high of only 54° after a low of 38° but tens of thousands celebrated VE Day in Joliet 1945. Hmm, 80 years ago. NNNN |
| 2025-05-07 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 7 May: CLR 51.3° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 40 DP 47.8° WND S 6.0 MPH WND CHILL 49.1° BRM 30.03 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:41 Sunset 7:56. 6 May: Hi 75.8° (1730) Lo 47.3° (0700) HDD 3 GUST NW 23 MPH (1550). *** Gray, dank 6 ½ month period from November 2022 to early May 2023 paused for 24 hours with record high of 87° two years ago but the maximum on the following day did not did not leave the upper 50s. String of gloomy months had these average readings: Nov 43°, Dec 30°, Jan 33°, Feb 34°, Mar 39°, and April 51°. The only warm spell was from 13-15 April when records were set with a skein of 83° days. NNNN |
| 2025-05-06 | 6:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 6 May: FG/MST 43.2° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 36 DP 42.3° WND SW 6.0 MPH WND CHILL 39.4° BRM 29.99 STDY VIS 5 MI Sunrise 5:42 Sunset 7:55. 5 May: Hi 63.9° (1600) Lo 42.8° (0530) HDD 11 GUST NE 13 MPH (1850). *** The late 1970s and early 1980s are remembered for cold weather in Northeastern Illinois. No exception occurred on this late date in 1983 as the Lincoln-Way area tallied an overnight low of 29°. NNNN |
| 2025-05-05 | 7:00 AM | 0.05 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 5 May: OVRCST 48.4° REL HMDTY 94% AIR QLTY 17 DP 46.6° WND NE 14.5 MPH WND CHILL 42.4° BRM 29.93 STDY VIS 9 MI Sunrise 5:43 Sunset 7:54. 4 May: Hi 55.8° (1425) Lo 48.0° (0550) HDD 13 GUST N 35 MPH (1350). *** 70° was the overnight MINIMUM on this occasion in 1959. The high for the day that followed was an understandable and record 91°. In the past 66 years no temperature on this date has reached that mark. NNNN |
| 2025-05-04 | 6:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 4 May: OVRCST 45.5° REL HMDTY 80% AIR QLTY 17 DP 39.7° WND N 12.1 MPH WND CHILL 39.7° BRM 29.91 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:44 Sunset 7:52. 3 May: Hi 57.2° (1250) Lo 45.5° (0555) HDD 16 GUST NE 28 MPH (1245). *** Even though the overnight minimum reached 32° on this date in 1954, the frosty reading is nowhere near the record low for chill so far into spring. Stay tuned. NNNN |
| 2025-05-03 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 3 May: OVRCST 45.3° REL HMDTY 84% AIR QLTY 22 DP 40.8° WND N 10.8 MPH WND CHILL 40.3° BRM 29.91 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:46 Sunset 7:51. 2 May: Hi 61.7° (1345) Lo 45.3° (0625) HDD 13 GUST NE 20 MPH (2035). *** On this date in 1949, a four-day streak of 90+ temperatures smoked the Joliet region. The hottest was the final day when the mercury soared to 94°. NNNN |
| 2025-05-02 | 7:00 AM | 0.12 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 2 May: OVRCST 57.7° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 28 DP 57.2° WND S 4.5 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.76 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:47 Sunset 7:50. 1 May: Hi 70.4° (1230) Lo 53.8° (0415) HDD 5 GUST W 28 MPH (1455). *** The day after the Cubs and Bees were snowed out (5/1/1940), another storm hit and deposited 2.2” fluffy stuff. That year’s fifth month is still the snowiest in Northeastern Illinois history. NNNN |
| 2025-05-01 | 7:00 AM | 0.37 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 1 May: LT R 56.8° REL HMDTY 98% AIR QLTY 19 DP 56.1° WND E 6.0 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.96 FLG VIS 4 MI Sunrise 5:48 Sunset 7:49. 30 Apr: Hi 65.3° (1220) Lo 48.6° (0700) HDD 12 GUST SE 21 MPH (0515). *** On 30 April 1940, the Chicago Cubs mounted a thrilling comeback win against the Boston Bees. Although the game lasted but 2:25, 15 runs were scored by the two clubs and the final came via a decisive Al Todd homer into Waveland Avenue. The next morning 1.6” snow fell and ensuing crummy weather effectively kept the Wrigleys off the field until 4 May when they narrowly defeated the New York Giants and future HOF hurler Carl Hubbell. Play ball! NNNN |
| 2025-04-30 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | Rain: 2025 10.50" (norm 9.62") Spring 9.37" (5.95") April 5.12" (3.72") Snow: Season 19.9" (norm 39.5") 2025 14.2" (31.5") April 0" (1.1") 30 Apr: CLR 46.9° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 18 DP 42.4° WND NE 6.2 MPH WND CHILL 43.8° BRM 30.10 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:50 Sunset 7:48. 29 Apr: Hi 74.5° (0840) Lo 44.2° (0445) HDD 1 GUST 36 MPH (0845). *** Most April snow to visit the region was 13.6” in 1938. Were the Great Depression/WWII-era folks wondering if spring would ever arrive? NNNN |
| 2025-04-29 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | Rain: 2025 10.50" Spring 9.37" April 5.12" Snow: Season (November 2024 to April 2025) 19.9" 2025 14.2" April 0" 29 Apr: CLDY 72.0° REL HMDTY 76% AIR QLTY 35 DP 64.2° WND SW 25.6 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.81 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:51 Sunset 7:47. 28 Apr: Hi 84.4° (1635) Lo 53.4° (0700) CDD 4 GUST S 43 MPH (1845). *** The coldest April took place just seven years ago (2018). 15 days in that chilly month saw below-freezing temperatures. NNNN |
| 2025-04-28 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 28 Apr: CLR 52.2° REL HMDTY 68% AIR QLTY 25 DP 41.7° WND SE 12.5 MPH WND CHILL 48.0° BRM 30.10 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:52 Sunset 7:46. 27 Apr: Hi 71.1° (1640) Lo 34.6° (0545) HDD 11 GUST S 21 MPH (1545). *** Coldest April came in the third full year (1874) of Northeastern Illinois records when the region shivered through a 38.7° average temperature. Not much in the way of whole-house furnaces, fiberglass insulation, and electric blankets 151 years ago. NNNN |
| 2025-04-27 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 27 Apr: CLR 34.0° REL HMDTY 93% AIR QLTY 25 DP 31.8° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 30.27 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:54 Sunset 7:45. 26 Apr: Hi 57.0° (1610) Lo 34.0° (0545) HDD 17 GUST N 21 MPH (1645). *** On 25 April 2019, your indefatigable CoCoRaHS man in New Lenox tallied 2.5” snow. The end of winter? No. 2.5” more came our way 48 hours later. Here’s hoping that these storms will remain the highest amount ever so late in spring. NNNN |
| 2025-04-26 | 6:00 AM | 0.42 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 26 Apr: OVRCST 45.9° REL HMDTY 79% AIR QLTY 22 DP 39.4° WND N 9.2 MPH WND CHILL 40.9° BRM 30.17 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:55 Sunset 7:44. 25 Apr: Hi 63.1° (1050) Lo 45.9° (0557) HDD 12 GUST NE 22 MPH (1445). *** The first photo of a tornado (1884!) was taken in – where else? - Toto and Dorothy‘s Kansas! NNNN |
| 2025-04-25 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 25 Apr: OVRCST 49.8° REL HMDTY 77% AIR QLTY 21 DP 42.8° WND NE 8.4 MPH WND CHILL 46.8° BRM 29.97 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:57 Sunset 7:43. 24 Apr: Hi 84.2° (1535) Lo 49.6° (0640) HDD 2 GUST NE 25 MPH (2055). *** Do you remember this recent weather craziness? 2.5” snow blanketed New Lenox on this date in 2019. NNNN |
| 2025-04-24 | 7:00 AM | 0.04 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 24 Apr: CLR 49.6° REL HMDTY 90% AIR QLTY 49 DP 46.8° WND N 3.0 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 30.11 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:59 Sunset 7:42. 23 Apr: Hi 77.9° (1555) Lo 49.6° (0600) CDD 1 GUST SE 18 MPH (1355). *** Don’t like today’s elements? Just wait a bit. On this date in 1986 a morning low of 25° became a balmy 81° barely over a day later. NNNN |
| 2025-04-23 | 6:00 AM | 0.89 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 23 Apr: R 55.6° REL HMDTY 95% AIR QLTY 24 DP 54.0° WND W 21.2 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 30.14 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 5:59 Sunset 7:41. 22 Apr: Hi 76.1° (1720) Lo 44.1° (0700) HDD 7 GUST SW 30 MPH (1745). *** The Lincoln-Way area's final meteorological indignity of then-record winter weather came when 3.1” of last-gasp snow fell on this late date in 1967. This mess occurred just 60 hours after a series of Northeastern Illinois tornadoes killed 55. NNNN |
| 2025-04-22 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 22 Apr: CLR 39.6° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 47 DP 39.2° WND S 7 MPH WND CHILL 34.6° BRM 30.09 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:01 Sunset 7:40. 21 Apr: Hi 57.0° (1755) Lo 38.5° (0525) HDD 12 GUST W 36 MPH (0845). *** The hottest day ever in April was a 91° scribbled into the books on this date in 1980. NNNN |
| 2025-04-21 | 7:00 AM | 0.65 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 21 Apr: OVRCST/MST 56.5° REL HMDTY 92% AIR QLTY 18 DP 54.1° WND SW 14 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.71 STDY VIS 7 MI Sunrise 6:02 Sunset 7:38. 20 Apr: Hi 64.4° (1710) Lo 49.8° (0700) HDD 13 GUST S 35 MPH (0215). *** The vicious F-4 Oak Lawn tornado struck at evening rush hour (5:30 p.m.) on this Friday in 1967. 33 were killed, 1,100 injured, and 152 homes totally destroyed. NNNN |
| 2025-04-20 | 5:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 20 Apr: FG 49.3° REL HMDTY 86% AIR QLTY 33 DP 45.7° WND E 8.4 MPH WND CHILL 45.3° BRM 30.24 RSG VIS 5 MI Sunrise 6:04 Sunset 7:37. 19 Apr: Hi 57.7° (1755) Lo 45.3° (0820) HDD 13 GUST NW 16 MPH (1845). *** Easter extremes: hottest 85° 4/10/1977, coldest 11° 3/24/1940,
rainiest 3” 3/31/1929, and snowiest 7.1” with 40 MPH winds off Lake Michigan 3/29/1964. Also, at 6:09 p.m. on this date in 2004, a 200-yard wide F-3 tornado barreled through the heart of Utica and killed 8. RIP Milestone Tap. NNNN
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| 2025-04-19 | 7:00 AM | 0.12 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 19 Apr: OVRCST 52.9° REL HMDTY 95% AIR QLTY 34 DP 51.1° WND NW 8.5 MPH WND CHILL 50.9° BRM 29.92 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:05 Sunset 7:36. 18 Apr: Hi 77.2° (1150) Lo 52.9° (0628) CDD 3 GUST SW 31 MPH (1545). *** Glorious weather greeted sister #3’s earthly arrival on this date in 1965. Her happy parents and siblings rejoiced under a high of 62° with fair/dry conditions and light zephyrs. Happy 60th, Pip! NNNN |
| 2025-04-18 | 7:00 AM | 0.07 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 18 Apr: CLR 59.9° REL HMDTY 67% AIR QLTY 31 DP 48.9° WND S 15.2 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.68 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:07 Sunset 7:35. 17 Apr: Hi 63.5° (1330) Lo 45.3° (0700) HDD 13 GUST SE 35 MPH (1855). *** In another example of wacky spring weather, 3.83” rain fell on this date 50 years ago. Also, renowned Chicago weather wizard Harry Volkman was born on this date in 1926 (died 8/20/2015). He was the first TV meteorologist to predict and issue a tornado warning. NNNN |
| 2025-04-17 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 17 Apr: CLDY 44.1° REL HMDTY 62% AIR QLTY 22 DP 31.6° WND SE 25.2 MPH WND CHILL 36.9° BRM 30.01 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:08 Sunset 7:35. 16 Apr: Hi 56.5° (1540) Lo 32.2° (0700) HDD 22 GUST SE 25 MPH (0055). *** A late-season snowstorm dropped over 5” on Chicago in mid-April 1961. Much of the Cubs’ series with the Milwaukee Braves was cancelled even though the teams tried to play on the 15th. What a sight it was to see Chicago pitchers hurling fast snowballs at batters! As was so often the case in those days, Cubbie hitters flailed and missed. NNNN |
| 2025-04-16 | 7:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 16 Apr: CLR 30.6° REL HMDTY 91% AIR QLTY 21 DP 28.2° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 30.09 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:10 Sunset 7:33. 15 Apr: Hi 57.2° (1645) Lo 30.0° (0600) HDD 18 GUST NW 37 MPH (0745). *** Despite a high of but 47° under drizzly and gray skies in 1917, the first of many anti-World War I protests broke out in New Lenox. Several arrests were made as locals found themselves deprived of their First Amendment freedoms. NNNN |
| 2025-04-15 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 15 Apr: LT R 40.8° REL HMDTY 83% AIR QLTY 21 DP 36.0° WND W 28.9 MPH WND CHILL 31.8° BRM 29.85 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:12 Sunset 7:32. 14 Apr: Hi 64.4° (1540) Lo 40.6° (0650) HDD 9 GUST W 39 MPH (1645). *** A dark day in American history was marked in 1954. On this chilly occasion (high of 56° low 39°), Americans were first required to have their federal income tax forms postmarked to big government by midnight. NNNN |
| 2025-04-14 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 14 Apr: CLDS 55.8° REL HMDTY 72% AIR QLTY 28 DP 46.4° WND W 12.4 MPH WND CHILL 52.6° BRM 29.70 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:13 Sunset 7:31. 13 Apr: Hi 66.2° (1810) Lo 48.9° (0700) HDD 7 GUST SE 36 MPH (1245). *** As Democrat segregationist John Wilkes Booth approached the presidential box in Ford’s Theatre at 10:13 p.m. on 14 April 1865, temperatures were in the mid 50s, skies partly cloudy, Gibbous moon hung low at east/southeast, and the Big Dipper was high in the heavens. Mr. Lincoln died at 7:22 the next morning. NNNN |
| 2025-04-13 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 13 Apr: OVRCST 48.9° REL HMDTY 61% AIR QLTY 34 DP 36.1° WND SE 14.5 MPH WND CHILL 43.9° BRM 29.96 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:15 Sunset 7:30. 12 Apr: Hi 64.2° (1650) Lo 30.2° (0700) HDD 16 GUST S 18 MPH (2155). *** Mid-April of 1816 saw the first anecdotal reports foretelling what would be called “The Year Without Summer”. Major volcanic eruptions in 1814 (Mt. Mayon) and 1815 (Mt. Tambora) were the greatest in 1300 years and launched 24 cubic miles of stratospheric sulfate into the atmosphere. National effects? Excessive rain/frost/snowfall, sunlight blocked for several years, average temperatures dropped by 0.7 to 1.5 degrees and, in the end, widespread crop failures. In addition, dendochronologists have noted no growth on tree rings in the NE United States and eastern Midwest in 1816. Local effect? Mass migration of thousands of frustrated farmers from New England and Mid-Atlantic into Illinois. This rapid population growth helped give Illinois enough people to be approved for statehood in December 1818. NNNN |
| 2025-04-12 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 12 Apr: CLR 29.3° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 48 DP 26.8° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 30.17 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:16 Sunset 7:29. 11 Apr: Hi 53.4° (1630) Lo 29.3° (0618) HDD 22 GUST NE 24 MPH (1055). *** 21° greeted early risers in Joliet on this date in 1957. It was the coldest April day for the City of Champions in 80+ years. NNNN |
| 2025-04-11 | 7:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 11 Apr: PRTLY CLDY 36.3° REL HMDTY 88% AIR QLTY 48 DP 33.4° WND N 9.1 MPH WND CHILL 29.5° BRM 30.17 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:18 Sunset 7:28. 10 Apr: Hi 50.2° (1420) Lo 36.3° (0616) HDD 24 GUST NE 18 MPH (1755). *** Heralding Dust Bowl weather, a second consecutive day of 90° was registered on this date in 1930. This had never happened before - or since - in 154 years of April weather records in the Joliet area. NNNN |
| 2025-04-10 | 6:00 AM | 0.02 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 10 Apr: FG 33.8° REL HMDTY 98% AIR QLTY 56 (poor!) DP 37.6° WND NE 6.2 MPH WND CHILL 33.1° BRM 29.99 STDY VIS 2.0 MI Sunrise 6:19 Sunset 7:27. 9 Apr: Hi 44.8° (1715) Lo 34.0° (0700) HDD 26 GUST SE 30 MPH (1145). *** The area's earliest 90° showed up on this day in 1930 when WGN weather legend and "South Holland Songbird" Roger Triemstra also arrived. NNNN |
| 2025-04-09 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 9 Apr: OVRCST 33.8° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 25 DP 25.9° WND SE 10.0 MPH WND CHILL 25.6° BRM 30.09 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:21 Sunset 7:25. 8 Apr: Hi 45.5° (1715) Lo 25.3° (0700) HDD 30 GUST W 17 MPH (1145). *** Over the years this has been a remarkably unremarkable day in area weather history: record high 78° (1952), record low 21° (1972), most rain 1.58” (1991), and most snow 1.8” (1961). NNNN |
| 2025-04-08 | 6:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 8 Apr: CLR 25.2° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 23 DP 18.1° WND NW 8.0 MPH WND CHILL 17.2° BRM 30.12 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:23 Sunset 7:24. 7 Apr: Hi 47.3° (1010) Lo 25.0° (0340) HDD 28 GUST N 32 MPH (1245). *** A second record snow in three days hit this area in 1938. On the 6th 9.0” came down and on the 8th another 4.5” disrupted a fractured Joliet spring. NNNN |
| 2025-04-07 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 7 Apr: CLR 32.9° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 31 DP 28.4° WND S 12.1 MPH WND CHILL 24.9° BRM 29.78 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:24 Sunset 7:23. 6 Apr: Hi 52.2° (1700) Lo 32.4° (0435) HDD 22 GUST NE 17 MPH (1045). *** 1981-1982 was Northeastern Illinois’ fifth-coldest winter. It continued into April with 7° of chilled mercury on this date after 9.4” snow fell on the 5th. NNNN |
| 2025-04-06 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 6 Apr: CLR 37.0° REL HMDTY 53% AIR QLTY 33 DP 21.0° WND N 7.4 MPH WND CHILL 32.0° BRM 30.11 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:26 Sunset 7:22. 5 Apr: Hi 53.4° (1600) Lo 36.9° (0555) HDD 18 GUST NW 18 MPH (1345). *** Early spring of 1938 in northeastern Illinois was extremely warm (9.7 degrees above average) and March produced but 2.8" snow. On April 6, however, heavy, wet snow of 9.1” and high winds created large drifts. Later storms made that April – with 13.8” total - the only one ever to lead a winter season in snow. In fact, 35% of that calendar YEAR'S white fluff fell within the aforementioned 72-hour span. NNNN |
| 2025-04-05 | 7:00 AM | 0.25 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 5 Apr: OVRCST 41.7° REL HMDTY 97% AIR QLTY 20 DP 41.2° WND N 16.9 MPH WND CHILL 33.5° BRM 29.98 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:28 Sunset 7:27. 4 Apr: Hi 51.3° (1325) Lo 38.3° (0700) HDD 21 GUST NE 21 MPH (2035). *** Downpours during a 36-hour span led to 4.48” rain in New Lenox on this date in 1947. This continues to be the worst flood in village history and caused 25% of the town to be evacuated. Hickory Creek’s discharge rate in Joliet was a record 10,200 cubic feet per SECOND. NNNN |
| 2025-04-04 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 4 Apr: CLR 38.7° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 24 DP 35.8° WND NE 8.1 MPH WND CHILL 32.7° BRM 30.21 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:29 Sunset 7:20. 3 Apr: Hi 51.3° (1040) Lo 36.7° (0205) HDD 17 GUST W 35 MPH (0955). *** After nearly 10” of snow blanketed New Lenox 48 hours earlier in 1975, the morning low temperature on this date fell to 16°. Spring? NNNN |
| 2025-04-03 | 7:00 AM | 0.99 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 3 Apr: CLR 48.7° REL HMDTY 81% AIR QLTY 17 DP 43.3° WND W 10.3 MPH WND CHILL 43.9° BRM 29.89 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:31 Sunset 7:19. 2 Apr: Hi 70.2° (1700) Lo 42.1° (0700) HDD 9 GUST S 37 MPH (1855). *** The driest April in 154 years of Northeastern Illinois weather annals happened in the cold cycle of 1899 when but 0.14” rain fell. NNNN |
| 2025-04-02 | 6:00 AM | 1.66 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 2 Apr: HVY R 40.6° REL HMDTY 98% AIR QLTY 22 DP 39.9° WND E 18.5 MPH WND CHILL 35.6° BRM 29.59 FLG VIS 2.5 MI Sunrise 6:33 Sunset 7:18. 1 Apr: Hi 47.7° (1600) Lo 30.2° (0710) HDD 26 GUST E 36 MPH (0135). *** The erratic spring of 1975 took another turn on this fine date when 9.4” snow socked Joliet. NNNN |
| 2025-04-01 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 1 Apr: CLR 30.0° REL HMDTY 80% AIR QLTY 26 DP 24.8° WND E 5.0 MPH WND CHILL 25.1° BRM 30.11 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:34 Sunset 7:17. 31 Mar: Hi 46.9° (1730) Lo 30.0° (0610) HDD 24 GUST NW 22 MPH (1000). *** April Fools’ Day was truly a goofy one for enthusiasts of warmth on this date in 1970. Just when people were ready for spring, 8.2” of heavy, wet snow visited Northeastern Illinois. NNNN |
| 2025-03-31 | 7:00 AM | 0.24 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | Rain: March 4.25" (norm 2.23") 2025 5.77" (norm 5.90"). Snow: March 3.4" (norm 7.0") 2024-2025 Snow Season (Nov-Mar) 19.9" (norm 30.9"). 31 Mar: OVRCST 36.0° REL HMDTY 82% AIR QLTY 16 DP 32.4° WND NW 7.5 MPH WND CHILL 31.1° BRM 29.79 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:36 Sunset 7:16. 30 Mar: Hi 76.6° (1255) Lo 36.0° (0620) HDD 7 GUST SW 37 MPH (1545). *** March logged an average temperature of 57.4° in 2012. Wow, it was 5° warmer than the second-place World War II year of 1945. NNNN |
| 2025-03-30 | 7:00 AM | 0.06 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 30 Mar: OVRCST 61.7° REL HMDTY 97% AIR QLTY 19 DP 61.0° WND S 15 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.65 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:38 Sunset 7:15. 29 Mar: Hi 66.0° (1220) Lo 57.9° (2135) HDD 8 GUST S 23 MPH (1645). *** The “Year of No Winter” came to a close in 1878. Warm, late November 1877 portended what would ensue over the next four months. December temperatures were above average 30 days of 31. The following months featured nearly 20+ days of relative and even record warmth with February hitting the jackpot at 28 of 28. Little snow fell and what did quickly melted. Average reading for that span was 37.2° and only nine days recorded temperatures below normal. Both marks have never been surpassed in the past 1 ½ centuries. NNNN |
| 2025-03-29 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 29 Mar: OVRCST 61.5° REL HMDTY 75% AIR QLTY 23 DP 53.1° WND S 13 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.83 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:39 Sunset 7:13. 28 Mar: Hi 79.5° (1725) Lo 49.6° (0700) HDD 2 GUST SW 38 MPH (1545). *** Snowiest and possibly worst Easter in the Joliet area happened on this date in 1964 when 7.1” snow thwarted my parents’ efforts to take us to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. If that wasn’t bad enough, temperatures rose to a high of but 29° and sank to a 19° low in the following 18 hours. NNNN |
| 2025-03-28 | 7:00 AM | 0.16 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 28 Mar: OVRCST 48.9° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 35 DP 44.8° WND SE 13.5 MPH WND CHILL 43.9° BRM 29.97 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:41 Sunset 7:12. 27 Mar: Hi 53.8° (1420) Lo 41.9° (0700) HDD 17 GUST S 22 MPH (1545). *** The third-deadliest Northeastern Illinois outbreak of tornadoes tore through Channahon, Lockport, and Chicago on this date in 1920. 28 died in the meteorological mayhem. NNNN |
| 2025-03-27 | 7:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 27 Mar: OVRCST 41.9° REL HMDTY 75% AIR QLTY 38 DP 33.8° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL 41.9° BRM 30.17 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:43 Sunset 7:11. 26 Mar: Hi 56.8° (1550) Lo 28.8° (0700) HDD 22 GUST W 16 MPH (1655). *** Palm Sunday dust storm and tornadoes in Joliet killed two 90 years ago today (1935). On a far happier note, this station in New Lenox filed its first CoCoRaHS observation in 2010. 5,417 reports! NNNN |
| 2025-03-26 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 26 Mar: OVRCST 28.4° REL HMDTY 87% AIR QLTY 31 DP 25.0° WND NE 5.0 MPH WND CHILL 22.4° BRM 30.14 STDY VIS 9 MI Sunrise 6:46 Sunset 7:10. 25 Mar: Hi 52.5° (1620) Lo 27.7° (0520) HDD 22 GUST NW 25 MPH (1345). *** Greatest one-hour drop in Northeastern Illinois temperatures happened on this date in the cold cycle of 1908 when 71° at 2 p.m. became 41° but 60 minutes later. NNNN |
| 2025-03-25 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 25 Mar: OVRCST 32.4° REL HMDTY 80% AIR QLTY 37 DP 26.8° WND W 5.0 MPH WND CHILL 28.2° BRM 29.93 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:46 Sunset 7:09. 24 Mar: Hi 50.4° (1735) Lo 28.8° (0415) HDD 23 GUST NW 35 MPH (1645). *** “Freak of nature” snowstorm dropped 19.2" inches of suffering on Joliet during this date and the following in 1930. NNNN |
| 2025-03-24 | 7:00 AM | 0.09 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 24 Mar: OVRCST 34.3° REL HMDTY 77% AIR QLTY 22 DP 28.0° WND W 21.8 MPH WND CHILL 23.5° BRM 29.73 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:48 Sunset 7:08. 23 Mar: Hi 48.2° (1155) Lo 33.8° (0400) HDD 21 GUST W 44 MPH (2355). *** Northeastern Illinois’ coldest Easter featured 11° on the thermometer, 1” snow on the ground, and stat of 48 HDD on this date in 1940. NNNN |
| 2025-03-23 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 23 Mar: OVRCST 37.4° REL HMDTY 65% AIR QLTY 23 DP 26.8° WND SE 14.4 MPH WND CHILL 29.4° BRM 29.93 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:50 Sunset 7:08. 22 Mar: Hi 47.8° (1715) Lo 34.7° (0720) HDD 24 GUST NW 18 MPH (1055). *** Joliet’s latest (in the snow season) sub-zero morning (-1°) rattled the region on this cold-cycle date in 1888. NNNN |
| 2025-03-22 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 22 Mar: PRTLY CLDY 36.1° REL HMDTY 77% AIR QLTY 23 DP 29.8° WND W 13.4 MPH WND CHILL 28.1° BRM 29.92 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:51 Sunset 7:06. 21 Mar: Hi 60.1° (1555) Lo 30.1° (0630) HDD 19 GUST S 40 MPH (1045). *** The ninth consecutive and final record-high minimum (61°) graced Will County on this date in 2012. NNNN |
| 2025-03-21 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | 0.1 | 0.01 | NA | NA | | 21 Mar: CLR 30.9° REL HMDTY 80% AIR QLTY 23 DP 24.8° WND S 9.1 MPH WND CHILL 21.2° BRM 29.90 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:53 Sunset 7:04. 20 Mar: Hi 43.9° (1710) Lo 29.7° (0815) HDD 27 GUST NW 30 MPH (0845). *** This date in 2012 was the second-hottest in March in 154 years of area history. Believe it or not, mercury topped at 87°. Only an 88° on 29 March 1986 outranks the marks of this occasion. NNNN |
| 2025-03-20 | 7:00 AM | 0.80 | 2.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 20 Mar: SNW 30.9° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 26 DP 30.7° WND NW 15.1 MPH WND CHILL 21.1° BRM 29.69 RSG VIS 1.0 MI Sunrise 6:55 Sunset 7:03. 19 Mar: Hi 62.2° (1105) Lo 30.9° (0645) HDD 24 GUST NW 28 MPH (0455). *** 1960’s third month still holds the standard as the coldest March in 154 years of Northeastern Illinois records. Nine days of that long-ago time had daily maximums that did not crack 30° while 26 of the days featured high temperatures that were 39° or less. A brief warm spell late in the month prevented the month from being colder than the great majorities of Februarys. One day (the 29th) had a high of 72° while no other approached a maximum reading of 60°. NNNN |
| 2025-03-19 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 19 Mar: CLR 50.0° REL HMDTY 82% AIR QLTY 22 DP 45.1° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL 50.0° BRM 29.57 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:56 Sunset 7:02. 18 Mar: Hi 73.4° (1630) Lo 50.0° (0620) HDD 8 GUST S 35 MPH (1545). *** Earliest final spring freeze came our way exactly 100 years ago - one day after the awful Tri-State tornadoes - when the Roaring Twenties momentarily chilled with a 28°! NNNN |
| 2025-03-18 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 18 Mar: CLR 40.6° REL HMDTY 79% AIR QLTY 17 DP 34.7° WND S 9.0 MPH WND CHILL 35.0° BRM 29.84 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:58 Sunset 7:01. 17 Mar: Hi 53.4° (1650) Lo 22.1° (0720) HDD 25 GUST S 32 MPH (1350). *** Middle day of incredible nine-day HOT – not warm - streak in 2012 featured 81° maximum on this glorious date! NNNN |
| 2025-03-17 | 7:00 AM | 0.10 | 0.5 | 0.10 | NA | NA | | 17 Mar: CLR 22.6° REL HMDTY 98% AIR QLTY 50 (poor!) DP 22.1° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL 22.6° BRM 30.11 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:00 Sunset 7:00. 16 Mar: Hi 35.2° (0710) Lo 21.6° (0615) HDD 29 GUST NW 21 MPH (1345). *** St. Patrick’s Day records are as follows: warmest was 82° in 2012, coldest minimum 0° 1900, coldest high 11° 1941, wettest had 1.42” rain in 1965, and the snowiest featured 4.1” of silent suffering in Orwell’s year of 1984. NNNN |
| 2025-03-16 | 7:00 AM | 0.18 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 16 Mar: OVRCST 32.5° REL HMDTY 91% AIR QLTY 22 DP 32.9° WND NW 36.5 MPH WND CHILL 30.2° BRM 29.45 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:01 Sunset 6:59. 15 Mar: Hi 64.9° (1255) Lo 35.2° (0647) HDD 11 GUST S 33 MPH (0835). *** Brrrr! 13° high and -1° low on this date 1 1/4 centuries ago. NNNN |
| 2025-03-15 | 7:00 AM | 0.56 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 15 Mar: OVRCST 57.6° REL HMDTY 94% AIR QLTY 42 DP 55.0° WND S 3.4 MPH WND CHILL --.-° BRM 29.22 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:03 Sunset 6:58. 14 Mar: Hi 79.5° (1535) Lo 50.2° (0725) HDD 1 GUST S 44 MPH (2250). *** Beware the Ides of March! Maximum temperature of but 17° occurred on this date during Illinois’ second-most-recent cold cycle in 1893. NNNN |
| 2025-03-14 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 14 Mar: PTLY CLDY 50.9° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 49 (POOR+) DP 43.3° WND S 10.8 MPH WND CHILL 46.9° BRM 29.69 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:05 Sunset 6:57. 13 Mar: Hi 68.9° (1605) Lo 34.5° (0700) HDD 18 GUST E 17 MPH (1455). *** Earliest 81° reading was registered on this date in 2012. The toasty day kicked off an unprecedented string of mid-March highs. WLS Chicago weather guy Jerry Taft was born on 14 March in 1943 and met the Lord on 23 July 2020. NNNN |
| 2025-03-13 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 13 Mar: CLR 34.7° REL HMDTY 82% AIR QLTY 50 (POOR!) DP 29.7° WND NE 7.1 MPH WND CHILL 27.7° BRM 29.84 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:06 Sunset 6:56. 12 Mar: Hi 59.9° (1500) Lo 34.7° (0555) HDD 22 GUST NE 13 MPH (1455). *** New Lenox was lambasted by a heavy wet snow of 4” amidst a narrow band of temperatures (31°-27°) on this date in 2017. Chilly temperatures which followed allowed the snow to stick around for three more days. NNNN |
| 2025-03-12 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 12 Mar: CLR 36.5° REL HMDTY 43% AIR QLTY 23 DP 16.3° WND E 7.1 MPH WND CHILL 30.7° BRM 29.78 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:08 Sunset 6:55. 11 Mar: Hi 56.3° (0955) Lo 36.5° (0653) HDD 18 GUST NE 33 MPH (1015). *** This date in 1902 was sadly soggy and is noted as being one of only four March days with over 2” rain. NNNN |
| 2025-03-11 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 11 Mar: CLR 43.3° REL HMDTY 70% AIR QLTY 23 DP 34.0° WND S 3.0 MPH WND CHILL 43.3° BRM 29.59 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:10 Sunset 6:54. 10 Mar: Hi 69.4° (1540) Lo 32.9° (0715) HDD 11 GUST SW 26 MPH (1545). *** Unremarkable day in Northeastern Illinois weather history with no records of any suffocating snowfalls, raucous rainfalls, enervating extremes of heat/cold, or terrible tornadoes/windstorms over 154 years. NNNN |
| 2025-03-10 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 10 Mar: CLR 33.6° REL HMDTY 81% AIR QLTY 22 DP 28.4° WND S 6.0 MPH WND CHILL 29.8° BRM 29.83 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:11 Sunset 6:52. 9 Mar: Hi 59.4° (1655) Lo 29.5° (0740) HDD 19 GUST SW 26.0 MPH (1545). *** 60 MPH winds whipped New Lenox in 2021 as a maximum of 69° on 9 March dove toward 30° less than 24 hours later. NNNN |
| 2025-03-09 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 9 Mar: CLR 29.8° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 25 DP 26.2° WND SW 3.0 MPH WND CHILL 29.8° BRM 29.98 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:13 Sunset 6:51. 8 Mar: Hi 51.3° (1515) Lo 25.5° (0700) HDD 27 GUST W 26.0 MPH (1445). *** Balmy high of 69° graced the Lincoln-Way area on this fine date in 2021 but it’s in the record books as the only March daily maximum record not to exceed 70°. NNNN |
| 2025-03-08 | 7:00 AM | 0.09 | T | T | T | T | | 8 Mar: CLR 25.9° REL HMDTY 98% AIR QLTY 31 DP 25.2° WND NW 5.0 MPH WND CHILL 19.9° BRM 30.00 STDY VIS 9 MI Sunrise 6:15 Sunset 5:50. 7 Mar: Hi 37.4° (1550) Lo 25.7° (0555) HDD 28 GUST NE 10.0 MPH (1545). *** 60 MPH winds raged on this date in 2017 as early temperatures rapidly dropped from 65° to 40°. NNNN |
| 2025-03-07 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 7 Mar: OVRCST 31.8° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 33 DP 27.9° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL 31.8° BRM 29.99 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:16 Sunset 5:49. 6 Mar: Hi 41.4° (1605) Lo 27.1° (0700) HDD 30 GUST NW 26.0 MPH (0845). *** Incredibly low 5.7” snow fell from November 1930 through February 1931. On this date 94 years ago, however, 16.2” of heavy wet snow (dihydrogen monoxide 0.88”) arrived in Northeastern Illinois’ City of Champions. NNNN |
| 2025-03-06 | 6:00 AM | 0.08 | 0.8 | 0.08 | 0.8 | 0.08 | | 6 Mar: CLR 27.3° REL HMDTY 82% AIR QLTY 28 DP 22.6° WND W 13.4 MPH WND CHILL 16.5° BRM 29.76 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:18 Sunset 5:48. 5 Mar: Hi 49.8° (0830) Lo 27.3° (0532) HDD 24 GUST NW 37.0 MPH (2050). *** Second of three consecutive dangerous winters featured 0° minimum and 7” of snow smothering the Manhattan prairie on this late date in 1978. NNNN |
| 2025-03-05 | 7:00 AM | 1.52 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 5 Mar: OVRCST 48.0° REL HMDTY 97% AIR QLTY 20 DP 47.3° WND S 13.4 MPH WND CHILL 43.2° BRM 29.02 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:20 Sunset 5:46. 4 Mar: Hi 48.2° (0620) Lo 42.1° (1140) HDD 19 GUST S 24.0 MPH (0845). *** Bone-blasting overnight minimum of -7° in 2002 is still the lowest temperature so late in Northeastern Illinois’ November-to-April snow season. NNNN |
| 2025-03-04 | 7:00 AM | 0.44 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 4 Mar: T-STRM w/LGHTNNG/THDR 45.5° REL HMDTY 100% AIR QLTY 27 DP 44.8° WND S 14.4 MPH WND CHILL 39.5° BRM 29.71 STDY VIS 5 MI Sunrise 6:22 Sunset 5:45. 3 Mar: Hi 48.4° (1430) Lo 32.0° (0700) HDD 29 GUST S 24.0 MPH (1455). *** -12° on this date in 1873 as the Midwest endured a new cold cycle in weather. It was, however, the last onslaught of the horrible 1872-1873 winter. NNNN |
| 2025-03-03 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 3 Mar: OVRCST 32.4° REL HMDTY 62% AIR QLTY 25 DP 21.0° WND S 10.0 MPH WND CHILL 24.2° BRM 30.08 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:23 Sunset 5:44. 2 Mar: Hi 40.3° (1625) Lo 15.3° (0700) HDD 37 GUST W 14.0 MPH (1455). *** Earliest 80° in the calendar year happened on this date in 1974 as future CoCoRaHS guy coached the Joliet Central baseball team through a very sweaty outdoor practice. NNNN |
| 2025-03-02 | 7:00 AM | T | T | T | NA | NA | | 2 Mar: CLR 14.2° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 52 (poor!) DP 10.4° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL 14.4° BRM 30.24 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:24 Sunset 5:43. 1 Mar: Lt Snw 0820 Hi 30.6° (1505) Lo 13.8° (0610) HDD 37 GUST N 22.0 MPH (1015). *** Least snowiest winter (November through the end of March) happened over 100 years ago (1920-21) when only 9.8” came down. NNNN |
| 2025-03-01 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 1 Mar: MSTLY CLDY 24.8° REL HMDTY 59% AIR QLTY 24 DP 12.9° WND N 20.2 MPH WND CHILL 10.6° BRM 29.94 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:26 Sunset 5:42. 28 Feb: Hi 58.6° (1525) Lo 24.6° (0625) HDD 19 GUST W 46.0 MPH (1745). *** Snowiest March was in 1926 when 23.1” fell; least snowiest was but a trace in 2000. NNNN |
| 2025-02-28 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | Precipitation: Feb 0.83" (normal 1.78") 2025 1.53" (3.67") Winter 3.61" (5.75) Snow: Feb 4.0" (12.9") 2025 10.8" (23.4") Winter 16.5" (30.4") 28 Feb: OVRCST 34.2° REL HMDTY 80% AIR QLTY 19 DP 28.4° WND S 9.2 MPH WND CHILL 27.0° BRM 29.69 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:28 Sunset 5:41. 27 Feb: Hi 50.2° (1500) Lo 30.7° (0220) HDD 22 GUST W 35.0 MPH (1255). *** On this fine date in 1994, the earliest last measurable snow of season came our way. More than a generation earlier in 1957, the Hickory/Spring Creek floods brought a mammoth 20,000 CFS of dihydrogen monoxide surging into the Des Plaines River. Thousands were displaced in Joliet and the neighboring then-hamlet of New Lenox. NNNN |
| 2025-02-27 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 27 Feb: FG 34.7° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 60 POOR! DP 34.5° WND W 6.0 MPH WND CHILL 29.9° BRM 29.82 STDY VIS 0.15 MI Sunrise 6:29 Sunset 5:39. 26 Feb: Hi 53.4° (1630) Lo 34.7° (0637) HDD 21 GUST W 14.0 MPH (0455). *** February 2015 hit the record books as being the coldest month since December 1983. On this date the high was but 19° and the low -6°. A day later, the maximum was only 13° and the minimum -5° with 4” snow on the ground. NNNN |
| 2025-02-26 | 7:00 AM | T | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 26 Feb: OVRCST 41.5° REL HMDTY 81% AIR QLTY 37 DP 36.1° WND SE 8.0 MPH WND CHILL 36.5° BRM 29.75 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:31 Sunset 5:38. 25 Feb: Hi 55.0° (1445) Lo 34.3° (0710) HDD 20 GUST W 16.0 MPH (1551). *** A glorious afternoon temperature of 71° shattered the old heat standard by 7 degrees on this date last year. It was the 3rd warmest February day in 153 years of records. The following day also witnessed readings in the low 70s but 11 tornadoes exploded across Northern Illinois. NNNN |
| 2025-02-25 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 25 Feb: PRTLY CLDY 33.4° REL HMDTY 96% AIR QLTY 33 DP 32.9° WND NW 5.0 MPH WND CHILL 29.6° BRM 29.73 RSG VIS 9 MI Sunrise 6:31 Sunset 5:37. 24 Feb: Hi 57.0° (1510) Lo 32.7° (0555) HDD 19 GUST SW 21.0 MPH (1347). *** In the late 19th century’s temperate cycle, 1878 saw Northeastern Illinois’ warmest meteorological winter which neared an end on this date with but one day (7 January) having had a sub-20° high. Lows of below 10° were recorded on just four days. The maximums from mid-December to January were in the 50s each day. NNNN |
| 2025-02-24 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 24 Feb: FG 38.8° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 28 DP 30.9° WND SW 9.4 MPH WND CHILL 32.8° BRM 29.73 FLG VIS 6 MI Sunrise 6:32 Sunset 5:36. 23 Feb: Hi 50.7° (1610) Lo 22.8° (0700) HDD 40 GUST S 15.0 MPH (1345). *** Snow depth from continual snowstorms over a span of 30 days was still at 12” in 1967. To make matters worse, this morning 58 years ago witnessed the mercury plummeting to -6° with an HDD of 61 at the end of Northeastern Illinois’ wretched snow-season. This record lasted but three years. NNNN |
| 2025-02-23 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 23 Feb: CLR 21.7° REL HMDTY 84% AIR QLTY 46 DP 17.6° WND S 6.0 MPH WND CHILL 13.7° BRM 30.08 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:35 Sunset 5:35. 22 Feb: Hi 36.3° (1605) Lo 10.2° (0700) HDD 40 GUST SW 26.0 MPH (1347). *** In 1873 the third of four consecutive double-digit below-zero temperatures (-18°) was penciled into the climatological annals of this region. Phenomena such as these readings heralded Northeastern Illinois' cold cycle that would continue for 1 1/2 decades. NNNN |
| 2025-02-22 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 22 Feb: CLR 9.1° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 22 DP 6.6° WND S 6.6 MPH WND CHILL -1.1° BRM 30.29 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:37 Sunset 5:33. 21 Feb: Hi 31.5° (1555) Lo 6.2° (0700) HDD 45 GUST W 16.0 MPH (1346). *** During the second full year of Northeastern Illinois weather data (1873), 51° was recorded on February 21st but a -14° occurred one day later. As Prairie State residents often say, if you don’t like the weather today, just wait 24 hours. NNNN |
| 2025-02-21 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 21 Feb: CLR 6.4° REL HMDTY 90% AIR QLTY 25 DP 4.4° WND SW 5.5 MPH WND CHILL -2.6° BRM 30.57 RSNG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:38 Sunset 5:32. 20 Feb: Hi 21.9° (1615) Lo 1.2° (0700) HDD 51 GUST W 20.0 MPH (1550). *** A record-high minimum of 49° highlighted a wonderful seven-day heat streak on this date in 2017. NNNN |
| 2025-02-20 | 6:00 AM | T | T | T | NA | NA | | 20 Feb: CLR 2.3° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 19 DP -4.2° WND W 9.9 MPH WND CHILL -12.5° BRM 30.35 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:40 Sunset 5:31. 19 Feb: Hi 15.8° (1235) Lo -2.3° (0530) HDD 54 GUST NW 21.0 MPH (1346). *** A relatively warm downpour on this date in 2018 brought a record 2.1” rain. That day’s high was 66° after a low of but 34°. Retired WGN weather guy Tom Skilling was born in 1952. NNNN |
| 2025-02-19 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 19 Feb: OVRCST 5.2° REL HMDTY 61% AIR QLTY 16 DP -5.3° WND NW 8.8 MPH WND CHILL -7.6° BRM 30.50 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:41 Sunset 5:30. 18 Feb: Hi 15.8° (1425) Lo -4.4° (0710) HDD 60 GUST NW 20.0 MPH (1745). *** On this date the final major snowfall of 2020/2021 brought the total on ground to 24” but no notable snow fell the rest of the month, March, and April. NNNN |
| 2025-02-18 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 18 Feb: CLR -3.5° REL HMDTY 64% AIR QLTY 17 DP -12.6° WND NW 8.5 MPH WND CHILL -18.5° BRM 30.47 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:43 Sunset 5:28. 17 Feb: Hi 10.4° (1340) Lo -3.5° (0540) HDD 60 GUST W 26.0 MPH (1355). *** When local folks are starting to sniff spring, Mother Nature often throws a wicked curveball. On this date in 2006, Chicagoland endured a -7° low, 9° high, and braved sustained northwest winds of 10-17 mph. Sound familiar? NNNN |
| 2025-02-17 | 7:00 AM | T | T | T | NA | NA | | 17 Feb: CLR 1.9° REL HMDTY 77% AIR QLTY 17 DP -4.0° WND W 10.4 MPH WND CHILL -14.8° BRM 30.26 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:44 Sunset 5:27. 16 Feb: Hi 26.6° (1200) Lo 1.8° (0645) HDD 47 GUST NW 31.0 MPH (1245). *** Just eight years ago (2017) the day’s maximum reading was 67° with full sun plus light, pleasant winds. This was the first of a record 7-day unseasonal heat wave. 2/18’s high was 70°, 2/19 featured 69°, 2/20 a 70°, 2/21 'only' 67°, and 2/22 68°. It was most definitely Virginia-like weather celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the Father of our Country! NNNN |
| 2025-02-16 | 7:00 AM | 0.04 | T | T | NA | NA | | 16 Feb: LT SNW 25.7° REL HMDTY 87% AIR QLTY 33 DP 22.7° WND NW 17.8 MPH WND CHILL 12.7° BRM 29.72 STDY VIS 7 MI Sunrise 6:45 Sunset 5:26. 15 Feb: Hi 36.9° (1115) Lo 25.7° (0620) HDD 35 GUST N 26.0 MPH (2235). *** Northeastern Illinois’ final string of brutal winters paused on this date in 1985 as 33 consecutive days below freezing (January 20th had witnessed -27°) came to an end. The Weather Channel's man-in-the-elements Jim Cantore born on this date in 1964. NNNN |
| 2025-02-15 | 6:00 AM | 0.08 | 1.5 | 0.08 | NA | NA | | 15 Feb: OVRCST 29.8° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 30 DP 25.9° WND E 3.0 MPH WND CHILL 29.8° BRM 29.90 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:47 Sunset 5:25. 14 Feb: Hi 30.0° (0550) Lo 1.0° (0700) HDD 50 GUST SE 29.0 MPH (2350). *** Winter ebbed in 2023 with a record-low 6% of Lake Michigan covered by ice. NNNN |
| 2025-02-14 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | 2.5 | 0.16 | | 14 Feb: CLR -0.4° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 35 DP -3.1° WND S 3.0 MPH WND CHILL-0.4° BRM 30.62 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:48 Sunset 5:23. 13 Feb: Hi 25.2° (0050) Lo -0.8° (0620) HDD 49 GUST W 24.0 MPH (1145). *** Our meteorological “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” happened in 1990. Mother Nature showed no heart on the day of love as New Lenox recorded 7.8” wet snow composed of 0.78” dihydrogen monoxide. With the storm came zero visibility from northeast devils of 35-40 MPH, and a rare closure of O’Hare International. NNNN |
| 2025-02-13 | 7:00 AM | 0.16 | 2.5 | 0.16 | 2.5 | 0.16 | | 13 Feb: LT SNW 17.1° REL HMDTY 87% AIR QLTY 23 DP 14.0° WND NW 7.0 MPH WND CHILL 3.2° BRM 30.02 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:49 Sunset 5:22. 12 Feb: Hi 27.5° (1025) Lo 17.1° (0620) HDD 41 GUST NE 22.0 MPH (1252). *** 150+ years of local weather data shows that 1905 was the 11th-coldest Northeastern Illinois meteorological winter. The year bottomed out on this date with a -18° low and -4° high as the 1880-1915 cool cycle continued. This was the coldest day so late in Chicagoland history. NNNN |
| 2025-02-12 | 7:00 AM | T | T | T | T | T | | 12 Feb: OVRCST 25.3° REL HMDTY 84% AIR QLTY 22 DP 21.2° WND NE 10.2 MPH WND CHILL 15.3° BRM 30.00 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:51 Sunset 5:21. 11 Feb: Hi 26.8° (1255) Lo 24.3° (1725) HDD 40 GUST N 25.0 MPH (1725). *** The 1894 celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was cancelled in Chicago. Honest Abe might’ve wanted it so with winds that peaked with an 87 MPH gust and 7” of fresh snow. NNNN |
| 2025-02-11 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 11 Feb: OVRCST 26.2° REL HMDTY 69% AIR QLTY 51 DP 16.9° WND NE 15.0 MPH WND CHILL 14.4° BRM 30.27 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:52 Sunset 5:20. 10 Feb: Hi 36.3° (1455) Lo 14.2° (0715) HDD 38 GUST N 22.0 MPH (0545). *** More than a quarter-century ago the area experienced the earliest 70° ever in Joliet. Do you suppose Jolietans of 1999 complained of so-called global warming? NNNN |
| 2025-02-10 | 7:00 AM | T | T | T | T | T | | 10 Feb: CLR 13.3° REL HMDTY 81% AIR QLTY 24 DP 8.2° WND CLM 0.0 MPH WND CHILL 13.3° BRM 30.46 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:53 Sunset 5:18. 9 Feb: Hi 32.2° (1600) Lo 13.1° (0640) HDD 38 GUST SW 15.0 MPH (1553). *** The final of nine consecutive days with measurable snow hit the record books on this date in 2018. NNNN |
| 2025-02-09 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | T | T | T | T | | 9 Feb: OVCRCST 25.7° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 28 DP 18.5° WND NW 10.1 MPH WND CHILL 16.7° BRM 30.26 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:54 Sunset 5:17. 8 Feb: Hi 32.2° (1040) Lo 25.7° (0620) HDD 35 GUST E 18.0 MPH (1855). *** The horrendous winter of 1976-1977 inflicted a 1,053-hour streak of sub-freezing temperatures on Chicagoland residents. The killer cold finally ended at 1000 hours on this date when the mercury inched above 32°. My wife remembers that temperature almost feeling balmy. NNNN |
| 2025-02-08 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 8 Feb: OVCRCST 29.1° REL HMDTY 63% AIR QLTY 31 DP 18.1° WND NE 10.2 MPH WND CHILL 20.1° BRM 30.00 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:56 Sunset 5:15. 7 Feb: Hi 34.7° (1615) Lo 19.9° (0700) HDD 39 GUST NW 7.0 MPH (0155). *** The greatest 12-hour temperature drop in Northeastern Illinois history happened on this glorious date in 1900. Mercury collapsed from 62° with 70 mph winds and thunderstorms on an Arctic front to 10° late in the day. NBC Chicago weather guy Brant Miller was born on this day in 1950. NNNN |
| 2025-02-07 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 7 Feb: CLR 19.9° REL HMDTY 54% AIR QLTY 37 DP 6.8° WND NW 7.4 MPH WND CHILL 9.9° BRM 30.27 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:57 Sunset 5:15. 6 Feb: Hi 32.3° (1455) Lo 19.9° (0700) HDD 35 GUST NW 35.0 MPH (2335). *** In 1979 more misery came on this date with an overnight minimum of -20°. From New Year’s Day thru 6 February the average hourly temperature was 3°. NNNN |
| 2025-02-06 | 7:00 AM | 0.03 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 6 Feb: FG/MST 30.2° REL HMDTY 100% AIR QLTY 26 DP 29.8° WND W 7.4 MPH WND CHILL 23.2° BRM 29.83 STDY VIS 4 MI Sunrise 6:58 Sunset 5:13. 5 Feb: Hi 31.1° (1305) Lo 25.0° (0700) HDD 37 GUST E 20.2 MPH (1855). *** Back to 1967! 9” new snow fell on top of what was largely still on the ground from the great storms of 26/27 January. Thus, a total of 36” in 11 days! More important, on this date in 1911 40th prez Ronald Reagan was born above the town bakery in Tampico, Illinois. NNNN |
| 2025-02-05 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 5 Feb: OVRCST 25.0° REL HMDTY 77% AIR QLTY 17 DP 18.7° WND E 13.1 MPH WND CHILL 13.1° BRM 30.33 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 6:59 Sunset 5:12. 4 Feb: Hi 28.9° (1215) Lo 23.5° (1920) HDD 37 GUST N 25.0 MPH (1245). *** On this date in 1979 Northeastern Illinois’s second-coldest winter continued with -20°, 76 HDD, and snow depth of 29”. NNNN |
| 2025-02-04 | 7:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 4 Feb: CLR 27.5° REL HMDTY 75% AIR QLTY 21 DP 20.7° WND NW 8.2 MPH WND CHILL 20.7° BRM 30.29 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:00 Sunset 5:11. 3 Feb: LT R @ 1750 Hi 54.5° (1315) Lo 27.5° (0620) HDD 27 GUST N 32.0 MPH (1649). *** Warmest February came way back in 2024: 39.5° was the mean temperature over the span of 29 days. The month was also 10.7° warmer than average. NNNN |
| 2025-02-03 | 7:00 AM | T | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 3 Feb: FG/MST 38.1° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 54 (poor!) DP 37.6° WND SE 7.4 MPH WND CHILL 32.9° BRM 29.93 FLG VIS 4 MI Sunrise 7:01 Sunset 5:10. 2 Feb: LT R @ 0715 Hi 44.4° (1350) Lo 34.5° (0720) HDD 28 GUST S 13.0 MPH (2355). *** Snow depth was 24” in 2015 on this date following “Super Bowl Blizzard” on the 31st (12.3”) with 3” more snow falling a day later and 4” on the 2nd. NNNN |
| 2025-02-02 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 2 Feb: OVRCST 34.7° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 25 DP 31.6° WND S 9.4 MPH WND CHILL 27.7° BRM 29.93 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:02 Sunset 5:08. 1 Feb: Hi 35.2° (1440) Lo 28.8° (0700) HDD 31 GUST SE 25.0 MPH (0215). *** In 2011 the Groundhog Day storm ended (1/31-2/2) with a total of 21.2” snow. It was the third-largest winter event ever to hammer Northeastern Illinois. Retired weatherman TOM SKILLING was born on this day in 1952. NNNN |
| 2025-02-01 | 6:00 AM | 0.50 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 1 Feb: CLR 29.3° REL HMDTY 80% AIR QLTY 20 DP 24.1° WND NE 18.1 MPH WND CHILL 19.3° BRM 30.24 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:03 Sunset 5:07. 31 Jan: Hi 39.6° (1350) Lo 29.3° (0550) HDD 28 GUST N 31.0 MPH (1755). *** The Groundhog Day storm entered the area during the early afternoon on this date in 2015. The 16” of wet snow in New Lenox helped the month to become the snowiest February in Northeastern Illinois history. 0.87” in liquid-equivalent precipitation also made for a standard record for ANY February day. OPPOSITES? 1) NO February snow in 1987, 1998, and 2017. 2) Record warmth was present this month of 2024 with a temperature average of 39.5° which broke the 142-year record. NNNN |
| 2025-01-31 | 7:00 AM | 0.20 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | Rain: January 0.70" (NORMAL 1.89") and winter '24-'25 2.78" (NORMAL 2.97"). Snow 6.8" (NORMAL 10.5") and winter '24-'25 12.5" (NORMAL 16.2"). 31 Jan: FG 38.3° REL HMDTY 99% AIR QLTY 42 DP 37.8° WND NE 8.1 MPH WND CHILL 32.3° BRM 29.62 FLG VIS 0.5 (!!!!) MI Sunrise 7:04 Sunset 5:06. 30 Jan: Hi 46.2° (1320) Lo 27.3° (0710) HDD 52 GUST S 29.0 MPH (1145). *** This has been a day of historical extremes. Must’ve seemed like spring when it was 65° in 1989 but -21° in 2019 (after -23° the day before) was very, very wintery. NNNN |
| 2025-01-30 | 5:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 30 Jan: CLR 25.0° REL HMDTY 87% AIR QLTY 51 (POOR!) DP 21.6° WND SE 6.1 MPH WND CHILL 18.3° BRM 29.99 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:05 Sunset 5:05. 29 Jan: Hi 47.1° (1425) Lo 24.4° (0420) HDD 25 GUST W 28.0 MPH (1545). *** 1977’s final bit of miserable January weather happened on the 30th when 60 mph winds and -20° on the Joliet thermometers made for -62° of wind chill. Once again, US routes 30, 45, and 52 were closed through the Lincoln-Way area. NNNN |
| 2025-01-29 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 29 Jan: CLR 32.2° REL HMDTY 75% AIR QLTY 18 DP 25.0° WND W 8.1 MPH WND CHILL 27.4° BRM 29.76 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:06 Sunset 5:03. 28 Jan: Hi 49.1° (1545) Lo 23.2° (0735) HDD 27 GUST SW 37.0 MPH (1645). *** Happy birthday to Cheryl Scott, this CoCoRaHS man’s favorite Chicago weather forecaster. She turns 40 this fine day. (On this date in 2008 a temperature drop of 50° happened over a span of just ten hours. 49° at 1551 hours was followed by -1° at 0151 on the 30th.) NNNN |
| 2025-01-28 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 28 Jan: CLR 24.3° REL HMDTY 78% AIR QLTY 36 DP 17.1° WND W 6.1 MPH WND CHILL 16.7° BRM 29.84 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:07 Sunset 5:02. 27 Jan: Hi 43.2° (1630) Lo 12.7° (0720) HDD 34 GUST SW 36.0 MPH (1345). *** Here’s a post-mortem on January 1967 blizzard: 23+ inches of wet snow, peak gusts of 53 MPH, 4-6’ drifts, 20,000 cars/1,100 CTA buses stranded, $150,000,000 ($1.1 billion in 2025 money) in business losses, and both major Chicago airports shutdown for five days. On this date ten years later, a -17° low, winds of 40 MPH (wind chill -52), 9” blowing snow on the ground, and the vital I-80/US 30 interchange totally snowbound made New Lenox isolated from the world for 36 hours. NNNN |
| 2025-01-27 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 27 Jan: CLR 15.6° REL HMDTY 72% AIR QLTY 20 DP 8.4° WND SW 14.0 MPH WND CHILL 1.6° BRM 30.01 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:08 Sunset 5:01. 26 Jan: Hi 30.7° (1620) Lo 12.7° (0515) HDD 40 GUST SW 21.0 MPH (0645). *** The epic blizzard of 1967 concluded at 1010 hours on this date. 6.6” of additional snow made the total 23” (2.4” H2O for the event.) That was and still is the #1 Northeastern Illinois snowstorm. A memory of this then-16-year-old was attending a tripleheader college basketball bonanza at the Chicago Stadium. Nine of us were packed into Mr. Parker’s station wagon and with the Dan Ryan Expressway but one lane in each direction, we did not arrive home until 3 a.m. What the heck, we were young, it was an adventure! NNNN |
| 2025-01-26 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 26 Jan: CLR 18.1° REL HMDTY 74% AIR QLTY 35 DP 11.3° WND W 7.1 MPH WND CHILL 9.3° BRM 30.30 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:09 Sunset 5:00. 25 Jan: Hi 42.1° (1530) Lo 18.1° (0633) HDD 34 GUST W 33.0 MPH (2010). *** If mid-60s or older and grew up in the Chicago area, you remember this date in 1967. It was a Thursday and the beginning of great Northeastern Illinois blizzard. The initial flakes of snow were observed at 0502 hrs. In the next 19 hours, 16.4” (1.66 H2O) fell amidst howling winds. I went to work at 4 p.m. and did not clock out until 10 the next morning. Snow was again falling! NNNN |
| 2025-01-25 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 25 Jan: CLR 20.8° REL HMDTY 78% AIR QLTY 35 DP 14.9° WND SW 12.1 MPH WND CHILL 9.0° BRM 30.08 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:09 Sunset 4:58. 24 Jan: Hi 22.6° (1535) Lo0.5° (0715) HDD 52 GUST S 24.2 MPH (0015). *** Let’s interrupt tales of the weather in the 1960s through the 1990s with a report of awful weather on this date in 1897. The second of back-to-back overnight record lows froze people of the pre-central heating and non-insulation era with a reading of -20°. NNNN |
| 2025-01-24 | 7:00 AM | T | T | T | NA | NA | | 24 Jan: CLR 1.4° REL HMDTY 91% AIR QLTY 51 <-Poor) DP -0.9° WND SE 1.1 MPH WND CHILL 1.4° BRM 30.24 STDY VIS 9 MI Sunrise 7:10 Sunset 4:57. 23 Jan: Hi 24.6° (0720) Lo -0.4° (0505) HDD 49 GUST NW 22.2 MPH (0955). *** The warmest of the three record-breaking days in 1967 was on this date. Noting the 65° afternoon, your CoCoRaHs reporter’s boss sent him outside to work. Clad in a tee shirt and shorts (!), yours truly spent his four hours cleaning windows at Silver Cross hospital in Joliet. Look out 48 hours later! NNNN |
| 2025-01-23 | 7:00 AM | 0.02 | 0.3 | NA | NA | NA | | 23 Jan: LT SNW 24.3° REL HMDTY 94% AIR QLTY 41 DP 22.6° WND W 7.0 MPH WND CHILL 16.3° BRM 30.03 RSG VIS 2 MI Sunrise 7:11 Sunset 4:56. 22 Jan: Hi 25.7° (1550) Lo 7.5° (0700) HDD 52 GUST S 31.1 MPH (1055). *** In 1967 the second of three consecutive gorgeous days set records with 55-60° highs in Joliet. This date was a Monday and after school your CoCoRaHS history guy shot baskets in the driveway while wearing only jeans and a sweatshirt. Look out 72 hours later! NNNN |
| 2025-01-22 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 22 Jan: OVRCST 6.4° REL HMDTY 67% AIR QLTY 16 DP -2.4° WND S 22.0 MPH WND CHILL -22.2° BRM 30.18 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:12 Sunset 4:55. 21 Jan: Hi 6.4° (0616) Lo -8.7° (0725) HDD 67 GUST W 28.1 MPH (0435). *** A balmy 34° maximum with light southwest zephyrs on this date in 1994 brought an end to severe cold that had stretched for a week. Daily low temperatures were between -13° & -21°. NNNN |
| 2025-01-21 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | 0.1 | 0.01 | NA | NA | | 21 Jan: CLR -8.1° REL HMDTY 68% AIR QLTY 15 DP -15.7° WND W 13.0 MPH WND CHILL -28.1° BRM 30.51 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:13 Sunset 4:53. 20 Jan: Hi 11.5° (1415) Lo -8.1° (0630) HDD 60 GUST W 21.1 MPH (0545). *** Nearly one year before Chicagoland’s lowest temperature of -27° (1/20/1985), this date in 1984 featured a bone-chilling, ligament-cracking -26°. Unless one wants to do meteorological research in the era of glaciers, that mark was our second-coldest reading ever. NNNN |
| 2025-01-20 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 20 Jan: CLR -2.0° REL HMDTY 70% AIR QLTY 15 DP -9.8° WND SW 9.1 MPH WND CHILL -18.1° BRM 30.41 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:13 Sunset 4:52. 19 Jan: Hi 6.8° (0710) Lo -2.0° (0605) HDD 57 GUST NW 29.1 MPH (1355). *** As promised yesterday, today’s post informs readers of the lowest temperature EVER recorded in the region. The morning low on this date in 1985 was -27° with a wind chill at -58°. NNNN |
| 2025-01-19 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 19 Jan: MSTLY CLDY 7.5° REL HMDTY 60% AIR QLTY 20 DP -3.5° WND NW 13.9 MPH WND CHILL -10.1° BRM 30.15 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:14 Sunset 4:51. 18 Jan: Hi 31.6° (0715) Lo 7.5° (0615) HDD 38 GUST NW 28.1 MPH (0015). *** On Saturday 19 January 1985, the fourth-coldest day in area annals froze the Illinois prairie. The -23 temperature was terrible, but wait until tomorrow’s post by your CoCoRaHS weather history guy. NNNN |
| 2025-01-18 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 18 Jan: CLR 32.4° REL HMDTY 72% AIR QLTY 17 DP 24.3° WND NW 14.8 MPH WND CHILL 24.4° BRM 29.73 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:14 Sunset 4:50. 17 Jan: Hi 42.1° (1435) Lo 23.5° (0700) HDD 28 GUST W 37.1 MPH (1455). *** New Lenox residents of 1996 must have gloried in the noon temperature of 58°. 88 MINUTES later, however, the mercury plummeted to 0° (1:28), was back to 54° at 2 p.m. As a coup de grace, temperatures dropped to 5° that night. 0.40” rain was also in the mix. The next day saw a high of 9° and a low of 3°. None of this is a typographical error! NNNN |
| 2025-01-17 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 17 Jan: CLR 24.3° REL HMDTY 93% AIR QLTY 47 DP 22.5° WND S 10 MPH WND CHILL 14.3° BRM 29.84 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:15 Sunset 4:49. 16 Jan: Hi 37.0° (1400) Lo 15.4° (0820) HDD 37 GUST W 31.1 MPH (1145). *** Prohibition began on this date in 1920 with a 16° high, low of 2°, and 2” snow on the ground in Joliet. Yes, one could say that the Steel City was cold and snowy but “dry.” NNNN |
| 2025-01-16 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | 0.1 | NA | NA | NA | | 16 Jan: CLR 21.4° REL HMDTY 84% AIR QLTY 47 DP 17.1° WND SW 9 MPH WND CHILL 10.2° BRM 29.81 STDY VIS 9 MI Sunrise 7:15 Sunset 4:47. 15 Jan: Hi 21.4° (0640) Lo -2.4° (0750) HDD 53 GUST SW 22.2 MPH (0335). *** On this dastardly date in 1982, -25 on the thermometer made for Northeastern Illinois’ third-coldest reading in 1 ½ centuries of local weather records. NNNN |
| 2025-01-15 | 7:00 AM | 0.01 | 0.5 | 0.01 | NA | NA | | 15 Jan: CLR -0.8° REL HMDTY 90% AIR QLTY 31 DP -2.7° WND SW 8 MPH WND CHILL-15.1° BRM 30.45 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:16 Sunset 4:46. 14 Jan: Hi 16.5° (0905) Lo -1.5° (0540) HDD 53 GUST NW 11.4 MPH (1125). *** The coldest Martin Luther King day in the Lincoln-Way area was in 1994 as temperatures reached down to -19°. Caveat? MLK day has only been observed since 1986 when President Reagan’s proclamation took effect. NNNN |
| 2025-01-14 | 7:00 AM | 0.04 | 2.1 | 0.04 | NA | NA | | 14 Jan: SNW 14.4° REL HMDTY 93% AIR QLTY 21 DP 12.6° WND SW 9 MPH WND CHILL 3.4° BRM 30.11 STDY VIS 1.5 MI Sunrise 7:16 Sunset 4:45. 13 Jan: Hi 17.4° (1555) Lo 5.5° (2225) HDD 51 GUST W 25 MPH (1545). *** Check back to yesterday’s CoCoRaHS entry from 1979 and you’ll see the preamble to today’s tawdry tale. On this date -14° of unhappiness followed the previous day’s 1¼ feet of snow to create a record (which still stands) of 29” snow on the ground. And you don’t want to know about the drifts! NNNN |
| 2025-01-13 | 7:00 AM | 0.03 | 0.7 | NA | NA | NA | | 13 Jan: CLR 8.4° REL HMDTY 79% AIR QLTY 15 DP 2.7° WND W 12.1 MPH WND CHILL -5.4° BRM 30.07 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:16 Sunset 4:44. 12 Jan: Hi 34.2° (1455) Lo 8.1° (0635) HDD 36 GUST W 32.0 MPH (1445). *** Another red-letter event occurred on this date in 1979 when 16.5” snow buried the area on a weekend. 60” snow thus far that winter shut down Lincoln-Way Central High School (and this old history teacher) until Monday 21 January. NNNN |
| 2025-01-12 | 7:00 AM | T | T | T | NA | NA | | 12 Jan: LT SNW 28.6° REL HMDTY 92% AIR QLTY 44 DP 26.2° WND S 13.1 MPH WND CHILL 17.6° BRM 29.73 FLG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:17 Sunset 4:43. 11 Jan: Hi 30.7° (1415) Lo 25.0° (0845) HDD 36 GUST S 18.0 MPH (0255). *** 1977 continued on its fearsome and frigid way to the record books on this date with a high temperature of 5° and low of -7°. Readings 27° below average made this the coldest month ever in this part of the Midwest. Typical weather at that ghastly time ‘featured’ below-zero days from the 4th to the 13th. NNNN |
| 2025-01-11 | 7:00 AM | 0.09 | 1.7 | 0.09 | NA | NA | | 11 Jan: OVRCST 25.9° REL HMDTY 92% AIR QLTY 28 DP 24.1° WND W 7.0 MPH WND CHILL 18.1° BRM 29.75 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:17 Sunset 4:42. 10 Jan: Hi 28.4° (1435) Lo 23.5° (0750) HDD 39 GUST S 14.0 MPH (1145). *** More Arctic cold came on this date in 1982 as a -3° low and high of but 7° with west winds 15-20 made for -79° wind chill. On a sunnier note, legendary CBS Chicago weather guy P.J. Hoff was born on 11 January 1896 (died 1981). Remember his ”Vice-president of looking out the window?” NNNN |
| 2025-01-10 | 7:00 AM | 0.02 | 0.4 | 0.02 | NA | NA | | 10 Jan: SNW 23.0° REL HMDTY 94% AIR QLTY 62 DP 21.4° WND S 12.0 MPH WND CHILL 12.0° BRM 29.96 FLG VIS 3 MI Sunrise 7:17 Sunset 4:41. 9 Jan: Hi 26.1° (1505) Lo 16.3° (2345) HDD 43 GUST S 12.5 MPH (1405). *** The late 1970s and early 1980s continued to set records for bone-chilling cold on this date in 1982 when the morning low dropped to -26°. In over 150 years of Chicago observations, this was the second-coldest mark. Winds that day blasted along at 29 MPH at 5 p.m. to create -61° wind chill. At -17.1°, very fine – and rare - crystalline snow coated the tundra. NNNN |
| 2025-01-09 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA | | 9 Jan: CLR 8.4° REL HMDTY 85% AIR QLTY 28 DP 4.8° WND S 5.0 MPH WND CHILL -0.6° BRM 30.22 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:17 Sunset 4:40. 8 Jan: Hi 25.7° (1410) Lo 8.2° (0520) HDD 45 GUST W 16.0 MPH (1550). *** Many, MANY years ago on this date in 1875 a horrible -20° temperature led Northeastern Illinois into its coldest year. Average reading over 52 weeks was but 45.1°. No days were 90° or above and 11 of 12 months were below the norm. The truest indignity from 150 years ago was that only December saw the mercury above average. NNNN |
| 2025-01-08 | 7:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | 0.5 | NA | | 8 Jan: CLR 12.4° REL HMDTY 88% AIR QLTY 20 DP 9.9° WND W 6.0 MPH WND CHILL 3.6° BRM 30.32 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:39. 7 Jan: Hi 22.7° (1335) Lo 10.9° (0525) HDD 44 GUST W 12.0 MPH (1245). *** Snow depth on this date in 1999 was 12” from a 21” storm January 1st to the 3rd. Northwest winds howled at a steady 15-20 MPH and created a wind chill of 1° and caused 3-4’ drifts. NNNN |
| 2025-01-07 | 7:00 AM | 0.03 | 0.3 | 0.03 | NA | NA | | 7 Jan: OVRCST 13.6° REL HMDTY 89% AIR QLTY 19 DP 11.3° WND NW 2.2 MPH WND CHILL 13.6° BRM 30.38 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:38. 6 Jan: Hi 28.9° (1500) Lo 13.5° (0625) HDD 39 GUST N 23.0 MPH (0745). *** On this date in the Janus of 1912 - second-coldest Northeastern Illinois month - thermometer at U.S. Court House (219 S Dearborn Street) in Chicago registered -16°. Average temperature that January was 11.9° and, at one point, 10 consecutive days passed when the mercury did not break >0°. NNNN |
| 2025-01-06 | 7:00 AM | 0.02 | T | T | T | T | | 6 Jan: LT SNW 23.0° REL HMDTY 96% AIR QLTY 13 DP 21.7° WND N 14.1 MPH WND CHILL 12.0° BRM 30.31 STDY VIS 3 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:37. 5 Jan: Hi 26.4° (0255) Lo 16.3° (0745) HDD 46 GUST N 24.0 MPH (0415). *** On this date in 2014 a -16° reading made for the coldest day of the third-coldest (average temperature 18.8°) and third-snowiest (67.4”) winter in Northeastern Illinois annals. NNNN |
| 2025-01-05 | 6:00 AM | 0.00 | 0.0 | NA | 1.0 | 0.50 | | 5 Jan: OVRCST 16.5° REL HMDTY 59% AIR QLTY 13 DP 4.6° WND NW 7.1 MPH WND CHILL 6.5° BRM 30.23 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:36. 4 Jan: Hi 18.7° (1700) Lo 10.6° (0725) HDD 46 GUST W 17.8 MPH (1547). *** On this date in 1884, temperature was -18° as the six-story Beaurivage apartment building caught fire in Chicago. Hundreds were rousted from their beds at 4 a.m. and sent into the bitter weather. "Women screamed, the children cried, and the men yelled themselves hoarse, almost drowning the crackling of the flames gathering about them" but no one died. NNNN |
| 2025-01-04 | 5:00 AM | T | T | T | 0.4 | 0.20 | | 4 Jan: CLR 12.6° REL HMDTY 79% AIR QLTY 23 DP 7.2° WND NW 12.0 MPH WND CHILL -1.3° BRM 30.30 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:35. 3 Jan: Hi 22.6° (1500) Lo 12.6° (0430) HDD 43 GUST SW 14.8 MPH (1350). *** January of 1981 was cold but made the history books as this area’s least snowiest with just 0.01” of the white crystals. NNNN |
| 2025-01-03 | 7:00 AM | 0.03 | 0.6 | 0.03 | 0.6 | 0.03 | | 3 Jan 2025: LT SNW 21.0° REL HMDTY 83% AIR QLTY 30 DP 16.5° WND NW 12.2 MPH WND CHILL 11.3° BRM 30.18 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:34. 2 Jan 2025: Hi 32.2° (1335) Lo 19.4° (0300) HDD 37 GUST NW 14.8 MPH (0600). *** Northeastern Illinois’ snowiest January was a fall of 42.5” in 1918. Occurring in the heart of the second outbreak of the Spanish Flu outbreak in New Lenox, the awful weather was said by some to have saved local residents from serious or fatal illness as it forced people to stay inside and away from others who might otherwise have infected them with the contagion. NNNN |
| 2025-01-02 | 5:00 AM | T | T | NA | NA | NA | | 2 Jan 2025: OVRCST 23.7° REL HMDTY 82% AIR QLTY 16 DP 18.9° WND SW 8.1 MPH WND CHILL 14.7° BRM 30.20 STDY VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:33. 1 Jan 2025: Hi 30.9° (1025) Lo 23.5° (2230) HDD NA GUST W 30.9 MPH (1545). *** The intense cold of 1977 registered an incredible stat of 68 HDD on this date. It was the beginning of a historic cold snap that saw 17 days <0° and daily temperatures that averaged but 10.1°. NNNN |
| 2025-01-01 | 7:00 AM | 0.19 | NA | NA | NA | NA | | 1 Jan 2025: OVRCST 27.9° REL HMDTY 71% AIR QLTY 22 DP 22.6° WND W 13.9 MPH WND CHILL 17.9° BRM 30.04 RSG VIS 10 MI Sunrise 7:18 Sunset 4:32. 31 Dec 2024: Hi 39.6° (0705) Lo 27.9° (0700) HDD 31 GUST N 33.9 MPH (0745). *** This day in 1999 saw the beginning of the third-biggest Northeastern Illinois snowstorm. Total for three days was a whopping 21.6”. NNNN |