The End to a Very Cold October

October 2006 will be remembered as a very chilly month here in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. In fact, temperatures were more than 3° below average for the month! We saw a nice warm stretch during the first week of the month, but temperatures on the ninth took a nosedive and we never recovered. Of the 31 days of the month, 7 were above normal with 23 below normal. On one day we had an observed high that equalled the average high. The warmest temperature of the month occurred on October 2nd when we were 86°. The coldest temperature occurred on the morning of October 25th with a temperature of 25°. 3.52 inches of rain and snow fell at the Chicago/Rockford International Airport during the month. That's over an inch above average. -ERIC

As we reported in mid-October, here's the official 2006/2007 WREX-TV Winter Forecast:

November 2006: A few very generous snowfalls are expected. Temperatures will remain cooler than average (continued from October). Temperatures will average 2-6° below average with average precipitation.
December 2006: Near average precipitation is expected. Numerous snow events will be expected. A few very cold spells will be likely, especially early in the month with a slightly milder month expected overall.
January 2007: Below average precipitation is expected. Temperatures will be slightly colder during the first part of January, followed by milder temperatures late in the month. January's temperatures will likely average slightly higher than normal.
February 2007: Below average precipitation is expected. Temperatures will be remarkably milder.
March 2007: Below average precipitation is expected. Temperatures will be at or slightly above monthly averages.