Heavy rainfall and flooding concerns remain for today across Central Texas and the Hill Country, with scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening. Tropical Storm Chantal has formed and will bring heavy rainfall and flooding concerns to portions of the coastal Carolinas. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected from the Southeast to Mid-Atlantic. Read More >
Weather Observations for the City of Chicago
Official Climate Observation Sites
Location
|
Occupied From |
Occupied To |
Remarks |
181 W Washington St. |
10/15/1870 |
10/8/1871 |
Station abandoned on October 8, 1871 due to the Great Chicago Fire – all records lost. |
427 W Randolph St. |
10/14/1871 |
6/11/1872 |
Room rented on October 14. Regular observations resumed on October 16. |
20 N Wacker Dr. |
6/11/1872 |
6/8/1873 |
|
Roanoke Building |
6/8/1873 |
1/1/1887 |
|
Chicago Opera House |
1/1/1887 |
2/1/1890 |
|
Auditorium Tower |
2/1/1890 |
7/1/1905 |
Automatic recording rain gauge installed in 1897 |
U.S. Court House |
7/1/1905 |
12/31/1925 |
Maintained supplemental observations through |
University of Chicago |
1/1/1926 |
6/30/1942 |
Maintained supplemental observations through |
Midway International Airport |
7/1/1942 |
1/17/1980 |
Supplemental observations were transferred to station Midway Airport 3SW |
O’Hare International Airport |
1/17/1980 |
3/7/1985 |
|
O’Hare International Airport |
3/7/1985 |
1/19/1989 |
|
O’Hare International Airport |
1/19/1989 |
2/1/1996 |
|
O’Hare International Airport |
2/1/1996 |
Present |
Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) installed |
*Photos provided to the NWS by long time weather observer Frank Wachowski.
Additional Climate Records (but not official for Chicago)
Location
|
Occupied From |
Occupied To |
Remarks |
U.S. Court House |
1/1/1926 |
10/15/1970 |
Previously was the official observation site for Chicago. Observations continued local site’s climate record. |
University of Chicago |
1/1/1916 |
12/31/1925 |
Temporarily was the official observation site for Chicago. Observations continued local site’s climate record. |
University of Chicago |
4/1/1962 |
10/31/1994 |
Previously was the official observation site for Chicago. Observations continued local site’s climate record. |
Midway International Airport |
2/13/1928 |
11/3/1932 |
|
Midway International Airport |
11/3/1932 |
6/30/1942 |
Continuation of MDW climate records. Became the official observation site for Chicago on 7/1/1942. |
Midway Airport 3SW |
1/18/1980 |
Present |
Continuation of MDW climate records after the official observation site for Chicago was transferred to O’Hare |
Midway International Airport |
5/1/1997 |
Present |
Regular observations resumed at Midway Airport after an Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) was installed |
O’Hare International Airport |
10/30/1958 |
1/16/1980 |
Beginning of ORD climate records. Became the official observation site for Chicago on 1/17/1980. |
Weather Observations for the City of Rockford
Official Climate Observation Sites
Location
|
Occupied From |
Occupied To |
Remarks |
900 Block, N Main St. |
12/??/1872 |
10/??/1893 |
Cooperative observer, |
731 N Court St. |
11/??/1893 |
12/??/1912 |
Cooperative observer, |
1135 N Court St. |
1/??/1913 |
6/1/1918 |
Cooperative observer, |
731 N Court St. |
6/2/1918 |
7/29/1920 |
Cooperative observer, |
324 Churchill St. |
7/30/1920 |
12/19/1950 |
Cooperative observers, |
Rockford Airport |
12/19/1950 |
7/1/1995 |
|
Rockford International Airport |
7/1/1995 |
Present |
Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) installed |
Additional Climate Records (but not official for Rockford)
Location
|
Occupied From |
Occupied To |
Remarks |
324 Churchill St. |
12/19/1950 |
9/23/1953 |
Cooperative observers. |
2221 North Winnebago St. |
9/24/1953 |
6/30/1957 |
Continuation of the same cooperative observer's climate record at a new residence. |