Instant Summer

It was only a few days ago we had a nighttime low of 35F (2C). Yesterday the high was 89F (32C) . Currently it is 85F (29C). This morning the humidity was 71%. Seems more like Florida than Illinois!

The thunderstorms are on the way:

... Special Weather Statement for northeastern Kendall... southern
dupage... northwestern will and southeastern Kane counties until 515
PM CDT... 

At 427 PM CDT... Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Aurora... moving northeast at 30 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include... 
Aurora...               Naperville...           Bolingbrook... 
Wheaton...              Downers Grove...        Elmhurst... 
Lombard...              Romeoville...           Plainfield... 
Addison...              Oswego...               Glen Ellyn... 
Westmont...             Lisle...                Villa Park... 
Hinsdale...             Lemont...               Burr Ridge... 
Oak Brook...            Willow Springs...       

Including the following interstates... 
 I-55 between mile markers 265 and 276.
 I-88 between mile markers 117 and 139.
 I-290 between mile markers 11 and 13.
 I-355 between mile markers 12 and 27.

This includes...   Argonne National laboratory... Aurora University... 
benedictine University... College of dupage... IL math and science
Academy... Morton Arboretum... and Wheaton College.
 
Precautionary/preparedness actions... 

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm... and may lead
to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.


Lat... Lon 4188 8792 4172 8791 4161 8830 4177 8841
      4194 8793
time... Mot... loc 2127z 242deg 27kt 4173 8827 

Enderlen

Spring Rain

We were very fortunate. Sunday was a beautiful spring day shoehorned between several days of rain. That doesn't often occur and we seem to get more rain on the weekend days. However, that could be work bias. After all, if one is indoors during the week and works or travels from 7am to 7pm, there isn't much opportunity to enjoy the sunshine.

Currently we are getting a steady downpour which is slowly moving northeast. That too is normal for Spring as the prevailing westerly breezes become slightly southerly in origination. It's another 55F (13C) day but when the rain ends it should warm slightly.

As pleasant as this weather is, it also means that outdoor work at BLHM cannot occur. And there is a considerable amount, from landscaping issues, to deck replacements, exterior building maintenance in preparation for the painting of this year's buildings in the cycle, and preparatory work for the roofing project, and so on. We perform serious exterior maintenance on one-sixth of the building on this extensive property each year. We have at most seven months in any year to do this.

It's Never Too Early to Barbeque

Now that we are officially into Spring, we'll be getting some nice, mild days. However, the weather can be capricious, Yesterday the dawn began at about 43F, By dinner it had reached 80F.

Rain is just about an every other day occurrence. This morning it was 64F and we got what we call "a drizzle" of rain. This afternoon we might get a thundershower. The temperature has dropped to 60F and tonight it will fall to 43F. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny with a high of 70F.

That's Spring at BLMH. However, one can still do their grilling. Hot dogs on the covered patio is simple. Ditto for burgers, or chicken, etc.

I know, purists will tell me that BBQ season really doesn't begin until the Memorial Day Weekend. As far as I'm concerned, that means missing a month of perfect grilling weather. Few insects and mild temperatures.