October 2018 Climate Summary

Fresh Snow and Temperature Outlook Ahead of Christmas Day

If you are looking for fresh snow by Christmas morning or are curious about potential travel disruptions, the best chances for at least 1" of new snowfall early this week exist across the mountainous West, Great Lakes, and Northeast. Otherwise, temperatures this last full week of December will average above normal for much of the lower 48 states. Read More >

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of October 2018 for Chicago and Rockford... At Chicago, the average high temperature was 60.7 degrees, which is 1.6 degrees below normal. The average low temperature was 44.7 degrees, which is 1.9 degrees above normal. The average temperature for the month was 52.7 degrees which is 0.2 degrees above normal. During the month of October, 4.79 inches of precipitation was recorded, which is 1.64 inches above normal. Two records were set for Chicago for the month of October 2018: * Record daily precipitation of 1.56 inches on the 1st. * Record daily highest minimum temperature of 70 degrees on the 9th. No Top Ten Monthly Records. At Rockford, the average high temperature was 58.8 degrees, which is 3.9 degrees below normal. The average low temperature was 40.3 degrees, which is 0.4 degrees below normal. The average temperature for the month was 49.5 degrees, which is 2.2 degrees below normal. During the month of October, 5.39 inches of precipitation were recorded, which is 2.67 inches above normal. There were 5 records for Rockford for the month of October 2018: * Record daily precipitation of 1.65 inches on the 1st. * Record daily snowfall of a Trace on the 15th. * Record daily lowest maximum temperature of 47 degrees on the 15th. * Record daily minimum temperature of 22 degrees on the 21st. * Record daily precipitation of 1.36 inches on the 30th.