Science & Nature
September in Chicago Was Warmer Than Normal and One of the Driest in 150 Years
(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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September in Chicago felt like a continuation of summer, with above-normal temperatures. But the real story was the lack of rain.
According to the National Weather Service, less than a half an inch of precipitation was recorded at O’Hare Airport — Chicago’s official weather station — tying for the seventh driest September since data collecting began in 1871.
The paltry total of .49 inches of rain was 2.7 inches below normal. The stress on trees was evident, as many began dropping leaves early.
On the temperature front, the mean average for the month was 69.3 degrees, or 3 degrees above normal. The average high temperature of 78.9 degrees was 3.4 degrees above normal.
(National Weather Service)
October has kicked off with a similar summer-like pattern. Even with a string of 80-degree days in the forecast, no records are likely to fall — October temperatures have topped 90 degrees several times in past decades.
For folks wondering “What happened to Fall?”, more seasonable temperatures are expected next week.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
