Dear Tom,
My birthday is on Aug. 9 and since 1987 it seems that we’ve had at least some rain on that day almost every year. Is that true or am I imagining it?
–Samantha Moore
Dear Samantha,
Chicago weather historian Frank Wachowski confirms that Aug. 9 has been rainier than usual in recent years, but he added that you have also celebrated many dry birthdays. The average probability for measurable rain (0.01 inch or more) on any August day is 29 percent, but since 1987 the probability of rain on Aug. 9 has been 41 percent (measurable rain on 9 of the 22 days). It rained on your birthday last year (but just a trace) and in 2007 and 2005. It was dry in 2006. For the most part, the rains have been light. Since 1987, the heaviest amount that fell was 0.47 inches in 2001. In official records since 1871, the heaviest Aug. 9 rain was 1.60 inches in 1952.
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Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or: asktomwhy@wgntv.com
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