Extreme Cold in Illinois, December 21, 2008

Name: Extreme Cold in Illinois, December 21, 2008
Start: 2008-12-21T06:00
End: 2008-12-21T13:00
Location: Illinois

December 21, 2008 · NWS LOT · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

A combination of temperatures falling to 5 below to 10 below zero and winds of 20 to 30 mph caused wind chill readings to drop to 35 below zero across much of northern Illinois during the morning hours of December 21st.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LOT wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 21, 4:26 AM CST, 1 hour 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 21, 4:26 AM CST, 1 hour 34 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
426 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

.DISCUSSION...
326 AM CST

WE HAVE UPGRADED OUR WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TO A BLIZZARD WARNING
THIS MORNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS. VERY COLD CONDITIONS WILL
CONTINUE TODAY THROUGH MONDAY.

TODAY AND TONIGHT... A VERY STRONG HIGH OVER NORTHERN MONTANA EXTENDS
INTO MISSOURI AND IOWA. THE AIR MASS IS CONTINENTAL ARCTIC. WHICH
IS SEEN IN THE SOUNDING AT INTERNATIONAL FALLS AND RAPID CITY. THE
PRESSURE GRADIENT IS LARGE OVER ILLINOIS AT 09 UTC. THE NORTHWEST
TOE WEST WIND WILL BE IN THE 15 TO 25 KNOT RANGE. THERE HAVE BEEN 1
TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW LAST EVENING SO THERE IS BLOWING SNOW ACROSS
THE ENTIRE REGION OF NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS..NORTHEAST ILLINOIS
AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. WE RECEIVED STATE POLICE REPORTS OF WHITE
OUT CONDITION OR NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF NORTH
CENTRAL ILLINOIS. WITH THE LOW VISIBILITY WE HAVE ISSUED A
BLIZZARD WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS WHERE THE MOST SNOW
FELL. AN ADVISORY WILL COVER THE REST OF OUR FORECAST AREA. THE
COLD AIR WILL BE OVER OUR REGION THROUGH MONDAY. THE BIG HIGH OVER
MONTANA WILL MOVE INTO TENNESSEE BY MONDAY. THERE IS A SOLID COVER
OF SNOW AND ICE ON THE GROUND. SO WE EXPECT VERY LOW TEMPERATURES
TONIGHT. THE WIND WILL BE DIMINISHED BY THEN SO THE WIND CHILL
WILL NOT BE AS DANGEROUS THEN. BUT DURING TODAY DANGEROUS WIND
CHILLS WILL EXIST. THERE IS AN ADVISORY FOR LOW WIND CHILLS TODAY.
THERE MAY BE SOME ISOLATED WIND CHILLS OF 30 BELOW SO WE WILL KEEP
THE ADVISORY FOR NOW AND NOT ISSUE A WARNING. WE USED THE GFS AND
LOCALLY RUN WRF MODELS FOR OUR FORECASTS. WE USED UPSTREAM
SOUNDINGS FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURE FORECAST.

MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...THE HIGH WILL BE OVER WESTERN KENTUCKY
MONDAY EVENING. AS THE HIGH MOVES EAST INTO VIRGINA A SOUTH WIND
WILL BRING WARMER AIR INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS TUESDAY. ANOTHER
500 MB WAVE TROUGH WILL MOVE INTO THE CENTRAL PLAINS TUESDAY
NIGHT. WE USED THE ECMWF SOLUTION. THERE IS NOT MUCH CHANGE IN THE
FORECAST. WE EXPECT SNOW TUESDAY THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY. THE
TEMPERATURE WILL BE HIGHER ON TUESDAY. THE SURFACE LOW WILL MOVE
FROM OKLAHOMA THROUGH CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND INTO MICHIGAN BY
WEDNESDAY EVENING.

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...HIGH PRESSURE WILL MOVE INTO THE OHIO VALLEY AND
GREAT LAKES REGION. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE WILL BE IN THE UPPER 20S
AND LOWER 30S.

&&

.AVIATION...

1100 PM CST

LIGHT SNOW HAS MOVED EAST OF THE AREA.  HOWEVER...A STRONG COLD
FRONT IS SWEEPING ACROSS NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND WILL CLEAR MOST
ILLINOIS LOCATIONS BY THE STRT OF THE PERIOD AT 06Z.  THE FRONT
SHOULD BE EAST OF THE VPZ AREA BY 08Z.  AS THE FRONT MOVES
THROUGH...WINDS WILL SHIFT TO DUE W AND INCR TO NR 20 KTS WITH FQT
GUSTS TO NR 30 KT.  THIS WILL RESULT IN IFR VISIBILITIES IN BLOWING
SNOW FOR ABOUT 2 HRS FOLLOWING FROPA.  LOWEST VIS IS EXPECTED ACROSS
OPEN AREAS OF N CNTRL AND EXTRM NRN IL WHERE EXISTING SNOW PACK IS
LOOSE.  AFTER INITIAL BURST OF WLY WINDS...SPEEDS ARE EXPECTED TO
SUBSIDE A BIT OVERNIGHT...THEN INCR AGAIN EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AS A
DEEP UPR LVL LOW PRESSURE CENTER APCHS FROM THE NRN PLAINS STAS.
THIS WIL ELEVATE WNWLY SFC WINDS BACK UP TO ARND 20 KTS WITH FQT
GUSTS TO NR 40 KTS BY AFTN.  IN ADDITION...AS THIS UPR SYS
NEARS...MORE LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DVLP.  THE COMBO OF VERY
LIGHT FALLING SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL AGAIN REDUCE VISIBILITIES
TO IFR CAT.  CIGS TO SCT OUT OVERNIGHT...THEN QUICKLY FILL BACK IN
BY 12Z WITH LOW RANGE MVFR COLD AIR STRATUS.

WINDS AND VIS WILL IMPROVE SUNDAY EVENING AS THE UPR LOW PASSES OFF
TO THE NE AND LLVL COLD ADVECTION STARTS TO EASE A BIT.

MERZLOCK

&&

.MARINE...
425 AM CST

425 AM CST

LOW PRESSURE OVER CENTRAL LAKE MI EARLY THIS MORNING AND THE COLD
FRONT/TROUGH HAS SWUNG ACROSS THE SOUTH PORTION OF THE LAKE WITH
WEST WINDS GUSTING 35-45 KTS. WINDS 0F 35-45 KTS WITHIN 1KM OF THE
SURFACE BEING MEASURED FROM NORTHERN INDIANA BACK TO THE WEST AND
NORTHWEST TO THE NORTHERN PLAINS. THE UPPER IS LOW FORECAST TO
MOVE QUICKLY EAST ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST AND BE OVER THE CENTRAL
GREAT LAKES BY 18Z...WITH THE SURFACE LOW DEEPENING AS ALSO TRACKS
EASTWARD. BETWEEN THE DEEPENING LOW AND THE STRONG ARCTIC HIGH
PLUNGING SOUTHEAST INTO THE CENTRAL PLAINS EXISTS A VERY TIGHT
PRESSURE GRADIENT WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT EAST AND OVER LAKE
MI.

EXPECT GALES ALREADY OCCURRING ON THE SOUTH PORTION OF THE LAKE TO
SPREAD FURTHER NORTH TO CENTRAL SECTIONS AS THIS GRADIENT MOVES
IN. ALSO EXPECT WINDS ON THE NORTH END OF THE LAKE TO BACK TO THE
NORTH AND INCREASE TO LOW END GALES BY EARLY AFTERNOON AS A MID
LEVEL TROUGH AXIS DROPS SOUTHWARD ACROSS THE WESTERN LAKES
ALLOWING AN INCREASINGLY DEEP N-NW FLOW TO DEVELOP OVER NORTHERN
LAKE MICHIGAN.

GALES...RESULTING HIGH WAVES AND FRIGID AIRMASS PRESENT IDEAL
CONDITIONS FOR HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY OCCURRENCE TODAY AND TONIGHT.

WINDS TO GRADUALLY DIMINISH OVERNIGHT AS THE SURFACE LOW MOVES
TO NEW ENGLAND AND THE HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE AXIS MOVES OVER THE MO
RIVER VALLEY...ALLOWING THE GRADIENT ACROSS THE WESTERN LAKES TO
GRADUALLY RELAX. WIND SPEEDS TO CONTINUE TO DIMINISH DURING MONDAY
AS THE CENTER OF THE HIGH MOVES OVER THE OH VALLEY.

WINDS BACK TO THE SOUTH AND INCREASE MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY AS
THE NEXT TROUGH MOVES EAST ACROSS THE PLAINS.

TRS

&&

.LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...WIND CHILL ADVISORY...ILZ003-ILZ004-ILZ005-ILZ006-ILZ008-ILZ010-
     ILZ011-ILZ012-ILZ013-ILZ014-ILZ019-ILZ020-ILZ021-ILZ022-
     ILZ023-ILZ032-ILZ033-ILZ039 UNTIL NOON MONDAY.

     BLIZZARD WARNING...ILZ003-ILZ004-ILZ005-ILZ008-ILZ010-ILZ011-
     ILZ012-ILZ019-ILZ020-ILZ021 UNTIL 6 PM SUNDAY.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...ILZ006-ILZ013-ILZ014-ILZ022-ILZ023
     UNTIL 6 PM SUNDAY.

IN...WIND CHILL ADVISORY...INZ001-INZ002-INZ010-INZ011-INZ019 UNTIL
     NOON MONDAY.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...INZ001-INZ002 UNTIL 6 PM SUNDAY.

LM...GALE WARNING...LMZ080-LMZ366-LMZ565-LMZ567-LMZ669-LMZ671-LMZ673-
     LMZ675-LMZ740-LMZ741-LMZ742-LMZ743-LMZ744-LMZ745-LMZ777-
     LMZ779-LMZ868-LMZ870-LMZ872-LMZ874-LMZ876-LMZ878 UNTIL 9 AM
     MONDAY.

     HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING...LMZ080-LMZ366-LMZ565-LMZ567-
     LMZ669-LMZ671-LMZ673-LMZ675-LMZ777-LMZ779-LMZ868-LMZ870-
     LMZ872-LMZ874-LMZ876-LMZ878 UNTIL 9 AM MONDAY.

     GALE WARNING...LMZ261-LMZ362-LMZ364-LMZ563...NOON SUNDAY TO 9 AM
     MONDAY.

     HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING...LMZ740-LMZ741-LMZ742-LMZ743-
     NEARSHORE GARY TO MICHIGAN CITY IN UNTIL 4 AM MONDAY.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 21, 5:07 AM CST, 53 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
507 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>023-032-033-039-INZ001-002-010-011-019-
221115-
WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-LAKE ILLINOIS-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-
DUPAGE-COOK-LA SALLE-KENDALL-GRUNDY-WILL-KANKAKEE-LIVINGSTON-
IROQUOIS-FORD-LAKE INDIANA-PORTER-NEWTON-JASPER-BENTON-
507 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008 /607 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
ILLINOIS...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE WILL BE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS
TODAY. BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE TODAY IN NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND
NORTHWEST INDIANA. THERE WILL BE DANGEROUS WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES
TODAY THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

PORTIONS OF THE KISHWAUKEE RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD.

LISTEN TO OR SEE THE THE BLIZZARD WARNING...WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY AND FLOOD STATEMENT FOR DETAILS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

THERE WILL BE DANGEROUS WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES MONDAY MORNING.

SNOW IS LIKELY TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE 80 THERE MAY BE FREEZING RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW.

PORTIONS OF THE KISHWAUKEE RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NECESSARY THROUGH TONIGHT.

&&

COMPLETE FORECAST INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE NWS CHICAGO
WEBPAGE: WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO

LMZ740>745-221115-
WINTHROP HARBOR TO WILMETTE HARBOR-
WILMETTE HARBOR TO NORTHERLY ISLAND-
NORTHERLY ISLAND TO CALUMET HARBOR-CALUMET HARBOR TO GARY-
GARY TO BURNS HARBOR-BURNS HARBOR TO MICHIGAN CITY-
507 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS
NEARSHORE WATERS OF LAKE MICHIGAN AND THE INDIANA NEARSHORE
WATERS OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

GALE FORCE WINDS TO 35 KNOTS ARE LIKELY TODAY AND TONIGHT.

FREEZING SPRAY IS LIKELY TODAY AND TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

GALE FORCE WINDS TO 35 KNOTS ARE LIKELY THROUGH EARLY MONDAY
AFTERNOON.

FREEZING SPRAY IS LIKELY TODAY.

&&

COMPLETE FORECAST INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE NWS CHICAGO
WEBPAGE: WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO

LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-
870-872-874-876-878-221115-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM MICHIGAN CITY IN TO ST. JOSEPH MI 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM SEUL CHOIX POINT TO ROCK ISLAND PASSAGE 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN SOUTH OF A LINE FROM SEUL CHOIX POINT TO THE
MACKINAC BRIDGE AND NORTH OF A LINE FROM CHARLEVOIX MI TO SOUTH
FOX ISLAND 5 NM OFFSHORE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM CHARLEVOIX TO POINT BETSIE MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO
MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM POINT BETSIE TO MANISTEE MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO
MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM ROCK ISLAND PASSAGE TO STURGEON BAY WI-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM STURGEON BAY TO TWO RIVERS WI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO
MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM TOW RIVERS TO SHEBOYGAN WI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO
MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM SHEBOYGAN TO PORT WASHINGTON WI 5 NM OFFSHORE
TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM PORT WASHINGTON TO NORTH POINT LIGHT WI 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM NORTH POINT LIGHT TO WIND POINT WI 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM WIND POINT WI TO WINTHROP HARBOR IL 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM WINTHROP HARBOR TO WILMETTE HARBOR IL 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM WILMETTE HARBOR IL TO MICHIGAN CITY IN 5 NM
OFFSHORE TO MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM PENTWATER TO MANISTEE MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO MID
LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM WHITEHALL TO PENTWATER MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO MID
LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM GRAND HAVEN TO WHITEHALL MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO
MID LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM HOLLAND TO GRAND HAVEN MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO MID
LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM SOUTH HAVEN TO HOLLAND MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO MID
LAKE-
LAKE MICHIGAN FROM ST. JOSEPH TO SOUTH HAVEN MI 5 NM OFFSHORE TO
MID LAKE-
507 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE OPEN WATERS
OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

GALE FORCE WINDS TO 35 KNOTS ARE LIKELY TODAY AND TONIGHT.

FREEZING SPRAY IS LIKELY TODAY AND TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

GALE FORCE WINDS TO 35 KNOTS ARE LIKELY THROUGH EARLY MONDAY
AFTERNOON.

FREEZING SPRAY IS LIKELY TODAY.

&&

COMPLETE FORECAST INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE NWS CHICAGO
WEBPAGE: WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 21, 12:23 AM CST, 5 hours 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
1223 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1221 AM     SNOW             BURBANK                 41.74N 87.77W
12/21/2008  M1.2 INCH        COOK               IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

&&

Local storm report, Dec 21, 2:12 AM CST, 3 hours 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
212 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1250 AM     BLIZZARD         PERU                    41.34N 89.13W
12/21/2008                   LA SALLE           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ROUTE 251 HAS WHITEOUT CONDITIONS OUTSIDE THE CITY. PERU
            CITY POLICE REPORTS.

0100 AM     BLIZZARD         DE KALB                 41.93N 88.75W
12/21/2008                   DE KALB            IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE 88 JUST SOUTH OF
            DEKALB BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 83 AND 108. STATE POLICE
            REPORTS.

0100 AM     BLIZZARD         ROCKFORD                42.27N 89.06W
12/21/2008                   WINNEBAGO          IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            THE VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF A MILE ON
            INTERSTATE 90 NEAR ROCKFORD. THIS IS DUE TO BLOWING SNOW.

0205 AM     BLIZZARD         PERU                    41.34N 89.13W
12/21/2008                   LA SALLE           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ROUTE 251 CLOSED OUTSIDE OF PERU DUE TO WHITE OUT
            CONDITIONS.

&&

Local storm report, Dec 21, 5:21 AM CST, 39 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
521 AM CST SUN DEC 21 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0356 AM     BLIZZARD         OTTAWA                  41.35N 88.84W
12/21/2008                   LA SALLE           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ALL NORTH SOUTH ROADS CLOSED IN LASALLE COUNTY DUE TO
            BLOWING SNOW AND LOW VISIBILITY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CAR
            RESCUES ACROSS THE COUNTY. FROM THE LASALLE COUNTY
            SHERIFF

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 extreme cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kane

When: December 21, 6:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Kane forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.939, -88.429 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Du Page

When: December 21, 6:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Du Page forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.852, -88.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Winnebago

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.336, -89.161 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Boone

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.323, -88.823 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lee

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.746, -89.300 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ogle

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Ogle forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.043, -89.321 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, De Kalb

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: De Kalb forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.894, -88.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, McHenry

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: McHenry forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.324, -88.452 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Cook

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Cook forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kendall

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Kendall forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.591, -88.429 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Will

When: December 21, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Will forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lake

When: December 21, 8:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Lake forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.349, -87.862 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill: Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history Warnings in Illinois, December 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 143245, 143246, 143232, 143235, 143239, 143241, 143242, 143243, 143247, 143248, 143254, 143244.