Goose Lake Weather Blog

May 2010 was warm with four 90-degree days. Here are some detailed stats:
Average temperature = 63.1°F
Average humidity = 77%
Average dewpoint = 54.9°F
Average barometer = 29.949 in.
Average windspeed = 3.2 mph
Average gustspeed = 5.8 mph
Average direction = 105° (ESE)
Rainfall for month = 4.52 in.
Maximum rain per minute = 0.040 in on day 07 at time 04:35
Maximum temperature = 92.8°F on day 24 at time 16:05
Minimum temperature = 36.3°F on day 09 at time 05:59
Maximum humidity = 100% on day 26 at time 05:56
Minimum humidity = 28% on day 05 at time 18:15
Maximum dewpoint = 78.3°F on day 24 at time 09:42
Minimum dewpoint = 32.2°F on day 10 at time 5:41
Maximum pressure = 30.38 in. on day 09 at time 10:22
Minimum pressure = 29.46 in. on day 01 at time 01:58
Maximum windspeed = 19.6 mph from 113°(ESE) on day 12 at time 23:57
Maximum gust speed = 34.5 mph from 270°( W ) on day 08 at time 04:07
Maximum heat index = 105.8°F on day 24 at time 13:50

Although summer has not yet officially begun, we maxed out at 91 degrees today. Well above the normal daily high of around 74.

April 2010 was warmer and drier than normal. The mean daily temperature was 57.2 degrees.  The average is around 50.2. We experienced 6 days with daily high temperatures in the 80′s. Rainfall was 2.74 inches or about 0.7 inch below normal. Last year our April total was 8.08 inches which was well above normal.

April climate stats:

   Averages\Extremes for the month of April 2010

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 Average temperature     = 57.2°F
 Average humidity        = 69%
 Average dewpoint        = 45.9°F
 Average barometer       = 29.891 in.
 Average windspeed       = 4.9 mph
 Average gustspeed       = 8.3 mph
 Average direction       = 160° (SSE)
 Rainfall for month      = 2.74 in.
 Maximum rain per minute = 0.140 in on day 30 at time 22:06
 Maximum temperature     = 84.2°F on day 14 at time 16:58
 Minimum temperature     = 27.2°F on day 09 at time 06:29
 Maximum humidity        = 99% on day 08 at time 02:00
 Minimum humidity        = 28% on day 17 at time 14:59
 Maximum dewpoint        = 67.5°F on day 30 at time 22:05
 Minimum dewpoint        = 24.3°F on day 17 at time 11:49
 Maximum pressure        = 30.38 in. on day 14 at time 08:33
 Minimum pressure        = 29.19 in. on day 25 at time 05:17
 Maximum wind gust      = 50 mph from 203°(SSW) on day 29
 Maximum heat index      = 83.2°F on day 14 at time 14:21
 Avg daily max temp :69.5°F
 Avg daily min temp :44.6°F

Strong winds today gusted well over 40 mph with our peak of 50 mph recorded at 5:35 PM. The wind speed indicated on our web page  is from an anemometer at around 15 feet. The “main” anemometer is on a 35 foot tower but due to age, will occasionally stop reporting. Fortunately it was working today. A strong storm system in the Midwest was responsible for the strong southerly winds today.

Widespread frost occurred overnight with our low temperature dipping down to 29.5 degrees.

Today’s high of 84 degrees is about 20 degrees warmer than normal for mid April.

Do you enjoy measuring rain or snow from your backyard? If so, consider joining CoCoRaHS. Learn more about CoCoRaHS.

What is CoCoRaHS??

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.  CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).   By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. CoCoRaHS is now in all fifty states. The 2 main requirements include purchase of an official CoCoRaHS rain gauge (approx $25), and internet access to enter your daily observations.

The following training session have been scheduled:

Thursday March 25th at 6:30 PM

Grundy County Extension Office
4004 N. Division
Morris, IL

Registration required. To register for this session, contact the Grundy County Extension office at 815-942-2725

Saturday March 27th at 10 AM

Will County Extension Office
100 Manhattan Road
Joliet, IL

Registration required. To register for this session, contact the Will County Extension office at 815-727-9296.

March 15 – 19th is National Flood Safety Awareness Week.  Learn more.

Severe weather season is approaching. Take steps now to prepare.

Image courtesy NOAA/NWS Central Illinois

Learn more in Severe Weather Preparedness published by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for Grundy County. At the present time, forecasters are expecting a mix of snow, sleet, and rain.