Science & Nature
This October Was One of the Warmest in Chicago History, But Lack of Rain Worsened Drought Conditions
(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
October finished the way it started: With an uncommonly warm 70-degree day.
In fact, October 2024 was the ninth warmest October in Chicago since record keeping began in 1872, according to the National Weather Service. The average temperature for the month was 59.7 degrees, which is 5.7 degrees above normal.
The hottest day was 85 degrees on Oct. 5, and the coldest temperature was 37 degrees, notched overnight on Oct. 16 and Oct. 27. Notably there was no hard freeze, which extended the growing season for the area’s gardeners.
In total, 26 days saw temperature highs of 60 degrees or greater, and not a single daytime high fell below 50 degrees.
While the month was fairly calm, the lack of severe weather also meant there was little in the way of precipitation. The rainfall total for Chicago (as measured at O’Hare Airport, the city’s official weather station) was just 1.18 inches, which is 2.25 inches below normal.
The continued rainfall deficits worsened drought conditions in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, with the entire region now experiencing moderate or severe drought.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
