Dear Tom,
On June 24, 1906, the First Presbyterian Church opened its new sanctuary in Carbondale. Historical accounts mention inclement weather. What happened that day?
Dede and Bill Ittner, Carbondale
Dear Dede and Bill,
With the help of our climatologist Frank Wachowski, we easily found your answer. Downstate Illinois had been hot in June 1906 with highs reaching the lower 90s on Friday, June 22. The next day, a cold front passed, bringing some showers and thunderstorms. On Sunday morning, June 24, 1906, when your church officially opened the new sanctuary, skies were overcast and steady northeast winds were blowing. Temperatures were hovering in the 60s, and clusters of showers and thunderstorms were rumbling through the area. Highs that Sunday topped out only in the upper 70s, and area rainfall totals averaged between 0.60 and 1.05 inches.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
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