Question of the day
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Block Club Chicago…
Chilly, wet and dreary — that’s how weather experts are describing the extreme bummer that has been spring in Chicago.
The National Weather Service categorized just one day in April as “clear and sunny,” said Kevin Donofrio, science and operations officer. NBC 5 meteorologist Paul Deanno said Tuesday just one of the past 42 days saw significant sunshine. That report was followed by another dark and soggy day.
Though still gloomy, there were seven sunny days recorded in April 2021. It’s been colder than usual, too.
“This year, we’re stuck with heavier spring jackets, maybe one that has rainproof on it with a fleece underneath,” Donofrio said. “It’s been much cloudier than usual.”
* Tribune…
The Sodfather confirmed Wednesday what most of us in Chicago already assumed.
This has been our worst spring ever. Period.
Roger Bossard, the head groundskeeper of the Chicago White Sox, didn’t need numbers to back up his claim. He has millions of eyewitnesses.
Bossard said Sox manager Tony La Russa recently asked him if he’s ever remembered worse conditions during a Chicago spring.
The answer was a resolute “no.”
* The Question: How’ve you been holding up this spring?
- Treefiddy - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:27 pm:
Recently became a homeowner and had all sorts of plans this spring to do some outdoor landscaping projects. Haven’t gotten around to any of them yet thanks to rain and thunderstorms seemingly happening every weekend.
- Rabid - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:33 pm:
perfect morel weather
- Grimlock - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
And on many of the sunny days, the wind speed made being outdoors unbearable.
- New Day - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:39 pm:
Fine. Fine. Why are you asking? Leave me alone.
Actually, though, it sucks. As a season ticket holder I can say that it absolutely positively sucks. Usually there are a handful of really cold, nasty games but this year, with one exception, they all suck. Glad next week looks better.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:39 pm:
Given we are avid gardeners and golfers, we have had it with this “Spring”. How many days overcast or rain and temps rarely above 60 are we suppose to have to put up with? We could have nice weather if Mike Pence had the courage.
- Levois J - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:40 pm:
I’ll take the good days we’ve been getting and rain isn’t bad for you.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
No barn swallows back yet, and the redwing blackbirds were late this year, too. They know something:)
Looks like we are going right into summer next week… at least for a while.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
Not good. So sick of this rain, wind and cold weather.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
I tend to favor chilly and damp in general (for instance, Portland, OR is a favorite destination), but this Chicago spring has gotten even me down.
Today has been nice, however. Dry, slight chill in the wind but sunny and promising. I spent some time outside and felt more upbeat. Of course–then right to 85 by Tuesday. Sigh…
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:45 pm:
“How’ve you been holding up this spring?”
Objection, your honor‼ Presumes facts not in evidence.
– MrJM
- Behind the Scenes - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:46 pm:
Agreeing with Anon… Our one day of Spring looks to be coming up Sunday. Then Summer here on the south side of Springfield.
On the other hand, my yard is thriving and I can’t keep up with cutting it.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:47 pm:
The May flowers better be (deleted) golden.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:52 pm:
Worn out from this weather psychologically and can’t wait for sunny and warm days. We will go from winter lite to summer next week, with hot temperatures predicted. Hopefully we can enjoy springtime a bit this year, with seasonable temperatures and not extremes.
- Homebody - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:55 pm:
Look at the drought information for the past couple years. We needed this (and then some).
- Matty - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 2:57 pm:
Chilly springs allow for more time to shed those winter pounds while dressing in bulky sweaters.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:00 pm:
I’m an outlier for sure, but I absolutely loved it.
It was a historic stretch of perfect afternoon nap weather.
I can’t change the weather, but I can easily find a way to enjoy whatever the weather may be.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:05 pm:
It’s a nice day today.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:05 pm:
The grass seed I tossed out in some bare spots about a month ago is going like gangbusters since new grass loves cool weather and rain.
On the other hand, I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to plant my tomatoes. Usually I do it around mother’s day, but probably not this year. I’ll wait another week or so.
- bogey golfer - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:13 pm:
Played golf Sunday in shorts, because it’s May 1 and you wear shorts. Froze. Spent the afternoon inside with soup.
And the lawn is growing well.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
I don’t think the rain and lack of sun bothered me as much as the cold (northern Lake County). Home heating bills are still at winter levels.
- Huh? - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:30 pm:
Wishing it would stay dry and warm for a few days so I can plant potatoes in containers.
- JoanP - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 3:48 pm:
I’m tired of wet and gray and cold. At least the sun is out today, for a change. But it’s still cold (for May, anyway).
- allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 4:36 pm:
I can’t take it anymore. I am in search of a clock tower as I type this.
- walker - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 5:08 pm:
MrJM still got it
- clec dcn - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 5:18 pm:
Has not been warm but still able to get out and ride my bike most days. Managed 53 miles yesterday in the misty rain but no wind. Got 60 miles today but was colder wind ok. I would like to see some warmer weather and farms need it dry.
- G'Kar - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 5:38 pm:
Although I am retired, I’m still teaching a couple of classes at a central Illinois Community College. I’m blaming the weather on the fact than my students and I are just about out of energy. Normally, warm weather this time of the year helps to keep us going at the end of the semester. Not this year.
- Crash - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 7:14 pm:
Garden prep is way delayed. It has been too wet for tilling especially since we are completely reworking the garden. We need to get deep enough and detailed enough so that last year’s plants don’t emerge this year.
I just have not had enough good days.
The seedlings are all ready to go though.
- Tallone - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 7:15 pm:
Better than relying on lake Meade for water. So there is a sunny side to the gloom
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 4, 22 @ 7:26 pm:
Cancel mother nature. Make it gender neutral and 70* for everyone.
- Anon221 - Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:32 am:
NWS has a graphic on the record temps coming our way (third tab in Weather Story)- https://www.weather.gov/ilx/weatherstory
- froganon - Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:00 am:
Times are tough, keep your morel(s) up.
- Peanut - Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 10:54 am:
It has been hard. I am an immunocompromised State Employee who was denied an accommodation to continue to work from home. I cant work in an office so had to go on a medical leave, currently without pay. Plus I am going a bit nuts. I am used to working all day, loved my job and miss it. My honey do list is getting done.