October 2026 General Discussion

[Chinook]

It's like a giant claw coming to get us

[EC609]

3 hours ago, michsnowfreak said:

Where are you living now?

Definitely disagree with summer extending 2 months - thats simply not true. However, average temps have risen more in spring/fall. In the southern Great Lakes, we still get accumulating snow in April, frosts/freezes/snow into May, snow in October, and sometimes cold and multiple snows in November. Every year is different of course, but the growing season is not based on an "average" temperature. 

Spring in particular is often a very dreary season in these parts, so an increase in temps would be beneficial to many a normie, though you will still get the cold/snow late. Chopping a few days off the first/last dates for snow/freezes really doesnt mean much in the grand scheme of things. Winter is cold, summer is hot...transition seasons are a massive wildcard.

Detroit first/last freeze *** first/last measurable snow
Last 30 years (1997-2026): October 27 – April 21 *** November 20 – April 5
POR (1874-2026): October 22 – April 24 *** November 16 – April 8

Chicago first/last freeze *** first/last measurable snow
Last 30 years (1997-2026): October 24 – April 20 *** November 20 – April 2
POR (1872-2026): October 25 – April 18 *** November 17 – April 2
 

I'm about 80 miles due South of Chicago. I would have thought by now I would have seen a frost. I know the Shenandoah Valley has already had multiple mornings in the 20s but they always have that. Hell, it snowed 10-18 inches there on October 10, 1979.  The summers have definitely lengthened over the last 20 years. I would probably have to move to Michigan or Wisconsin to get more of the climate that I would enjoy.

[michsnowfreak]

2 hours ago, EC609 said:

I'm about 80 miles due South of Chicago. I would have thought by now I would have seen a frost. I know the Shenandoah Valley has already had multiple mornings in the 20s but they always have that. Hell, it snowed 10-18 inches there on October 10, 1979.  The summers have definitely lengthened over the last 20 years. I would probably have to move to Michigan or Wisconsin to get more of the climate that I would enjoy.

The summers haven't lengthened 2 months is my point. This October is very abnormal warmth wise, especially out your way. Im not sure what your exact averages are being 80 miles south of Chicago, but the Chicago area saw several October snowfalls in recent years. Naturally Michigan or Wisconsin are colder, but you cant consider a top 10 or 5 month "normal". 

November looks to start with well above avg temperatures, and it will be interesting to see how the back half of the month plays out, because November has the largest difference of any month from first to last day of the month, so the natural quick descent into winter November sees will be fighting the influence of a strong nino.

[Chicago Storm]

28 minutes ago, michsnowfreak said:

Im not sure what your exact averages are being 80 miles south of Chicago, but the Chicago area saw several October snowfalls in recent years. 

i can confirm that this is not the case.

only 1 measurable snowfall since 2020, and that occurred on halloween 2023 (0.9").

[kevlon62]

https://www.weather.gov/lot/halloween_climate

[OrdIowPitMsp]

Happy Halloween, some wet weather overnight and throughout the day but overall this looks like the nicest Halloween here in 4 years with a high around 57. 
 

2 of the past 3 have featured trick or treating with snow on the ground so not having to dress the kids in winter gear with costumes overtop will be nice for a change. 

[cyclone77]

Picked up 0.02" yesterday, and 0.04" early this morning.  

[michsnowfreak]

12 hours ago, Chicago Storm said:

i can confirm that this is not the case.

only 1 measurable snowfall since 2020, and that occurred on halloween 2023 (0.9").

I was going by vague memory as a general statement (I dont know Chicago stats like I do Detroits lol). It was 2019 & 2023.

[michsnowfreak]

4 hours ago, kevlon62 said:

https://www.weather.gov/lot/halloween_climate

Interesting that Chicago never had measurable snow on Halloween til 2014 then has had it 3 times since.

Detroit has only had it twice (1993- 0.1", 2023- 0.2"). 

Halloween 1950 was a scorcher (79° at Detroit but 81° on Nov 1st).

[nvck]

October finished as the 7th warmest and 11th driest in cincinnati, dating back to 1872. Only 0.59" of rain!

[Brian D]

DLH Oct mean of 49.5 tied 9th warmest of 92 unique temps. Midpoint temp is 44.6. PWS near old wx bureau site in downtown DLH recorded 51.3. Precip of 1.90" was tied 80th wettest (tied 56th driest). Midpoint amount is 2.29". TH co-op Oct mean of 49.8 tied 12th warmest of 73 unique temps. Midpoint temp is 46.4. Precip of 2.16" was 61st wettest of 121 unique amounts. Midpoint amount is 2.16". 

Old wx bureau-PWS/DLH arpt mean temps

10/48 48.1/45.2
10/49 47.1/45.2
10/50 46.5/45.8
10/51 41.9/42.0
10/52 39.8/38.7
10/53 49.8/50.3
10/54 42.2/41.7
10/55 45.2/45.1
10/56 48.8/49.3
10/57 43.9/43.2
10/58 45.3/45.2
****
10/23 47.4/45.6
10/24 52.0/50.1
*
10/26 51.3/49.5