Illinois State Water Survey Illinois State Climatologist

When Is Fall? Astronomical, Meteorological, Climatological?

No doubt today (September 22) will be announced as the “first day of fall” because of the fall or autumnal equinox. However, that concept refers to the date when we get equal amounts of daylight and dark.  I don’t think it was ever intended that this astronomical event would be the start of fall. In […]

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Sharp Contrast Between Chicago and Portland Temperatures This Summer

As impressive as this cool summer has been in Illinois, the experience here and across the Midwest stands in stark contrast to the West Coast. Here is the temperature contrast from the last full month – July (map below – click to enlarge). While the Corn Belt was 3 to 6 degrees below average in […]

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