Patrick Skach's Blog

Have you ever wondered how the National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the country determine
when & where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or a Tornado Warning should be issued for a specific
location?
 
The Weather Service Forecasters (meteorologists) use a variety of sources to gather information when severe weather conditions are approaching or currently existing in the County Warning Area they are
responsible to monitor.
 
Two such sources are the recently enhanced Super High Resolution radar imagery as well as citizens who
are witnessing signs of severe weather at a certain location and then contact local law enforcement or the
National Weather Service offices directly.  The information from both of these sources are then immediately sent out to the public with what is known as a Local Storm Report (LSR).
 
The forecasters who are on duty at the National Weather Service Offices closely examine doppler radar
returns along with current and forecasted climate conditions.  Coupling all of this information together allows these trained experts to make notification to the general public of impending or imminent hazards approaching a certain location.
 
This tedious task begins with the first indication of an approaching storm system or the development of a storm system and continues until the threat of severe weather has subsided or moved beyond the parameters monitored by that particular forecast office. 
 
Throughout the severe weather event, each meteorologist on duty is assigned a specific task.  One such position is known as "The Hot Seat".  The meteorologist working the Hot Seat is extensively trained to correctly read and recognisize certain Radar Signatures which indicate a severe weather occurence beginning to take shape or already in full swing.  As these specific Radar Signatures are recognized and determined to be significant, their work begins.  Fellow meteorologists on duty assist by initiating watches and warnings out to general public through NOAA Radio broadcasts and notification to the media.  Notices of the impending hazards are continuously updated by the minute.
 
To provide an example of the extremely stressful job of the National Weather Service Forecaster as well as an opportunity for everyone of all ages a chance to test their own abilities when it comes to issuing Severe Weather Warnings, a wonderful educational tool has been created by the staff of meteorologists at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia.
 
The National Weather Service Warning Decision Simulator
 
This tool is intended to provide the participants with the appreciation of the decision making process of the National Weather Service forecasters during severe weather situations.
 
So, if you would like to learn more about issuing Severe Weather Warnings and also test your own skills as to when and where to issue Severe Weather Warnings.....let's get started!
 
For a Detailed Overview of the Hotseat Simulator (click here)
 
Instructions as to how to play the scenario

Once you choose a specific scenario and launch it, you will see a radar map.  To begin, choose
"click here to continue".  The radar images run at a frame rate of one every 12 seconds.  This
may seem slow however, it is designed this way to allow you a chance to read the radar images.
Remember, forecasters are examining the entire radar image for signatures of Severe Weather.
 
There are two (2) tiles or icons in the lower left corner throughout the entire scenario.
The Lightning Bolt tile is for issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Warning known as an SVR.  These would be issued for winds being reported of 58 mph or greater and/or penny size hail or larger is size.
The Tornado tile is for issuing a Tornado Warning (TOR).  These would be issued when there is a report of a funnel cloud by the general public or indicated by doppler radar.
 
Since this is an educational game, the player (yourself) scores points by correctly placing and then removing an SVR or TOR.
 
The idea is to watch the radar images and when a Severe Weather Report is displayed along with a photograph, decide which Warning (SVR or TOR) should be issued and where it should be placed on the radar map.  To place to Warning in the desired location, move your mouse pointer to either one of the tiles in the lower left corner, hold down the left click button on your mouse and drag the tile to the location you feel should have the Warning issued.  You may change your decision and remove the Warning by simply Right Clicking the tile where you placed it and then re-placing it in another location or just leaving the Warning off if you decide that it is not warranted.
 
Also, the Weather Service Forecasters not only issue Severe Weather Warnings (SVR) and (TOR) they must also Cancel them when the threat of severe weather has moved out of the County Warning Area or the threat has subsided.  To cancel a Warning, move your mouse pointer to the Warning Box (appearing in Red or White) and just Right Click.
 

For Specific Detailed Instructions (click here)
 
Main Page with Scoring Instructions and Tips & Tricks (click here)
 

For My Scenario of the August 4th 2008 Tornado Outbreak in Chicago (click here)

 
or go to
 
The Contributor's Page (click here)
 

Try to have fun and hopefully this educational tool will provide all of us with the deserving appreciation of the True Forecasters working 24 hours a day at the National Weather Service Forecast Offices throughout the Country.
 
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, my comment section is open on this blog.
You may also view existing comments about my scenario at Stormtrack (click here)
 
Special Recognition of Appreciation
Mr. Lans Rothfusz - Meteorologist in Charge
For allowing me to contribute to the Hot Seat Simulator
 
Mr. Clark Safford - Lead Forecaster & IT Specialist
For his patients and assistance with me while compiling my contribution
National Weather Service Forecast Office - Peachtree City, Georgia
Radar Imagery Used In Hotseat is Super High Resolution - Only Used By The National Weather Service
 

Saturday's (October 4th) morning low temperatures in the Chicagoland area have not been experienced
since last May.  A few Far Western Counties also experienced their 1st insignificant patchy frost.
 
 
                    Overnite
Location        Temp            Last Occurrence
O'Hare           39º               May 10th  38º  which was 148 days ago or 4 months and 25 days (a saturday)
Midway          42º               May 19th  42º  which was 139 days ago or 4 months and 16 days (a monday)
Aurora           33º               May   4th  33º  which was 154 days ago or 5 months and   1 day   (a sunday)
Rockford        36º** see note  May   4th  35º  which was 154 days ago or 5 months and   1 day   (a sunday)
W. Chicago    35º               May  4th  35º  which was 154 days ago or 5 months and    1 day   (a sunday)
Oak Brook     39º               May 19th  37º  which was 139 days ago or 4 months and  16 days (a monday)
Waukegan     36º               May 19th  35º  which was 139 days ago or 4 months and  16 days (a monday)
Aurora           33º               May   4th  33º  which was 154 days ago or 5 months and    1 day  (a sunday)
 
*note -> Rockford experienced an overnight low temperature of 36° on October 2nd 2008 (2 days ago)
 

Right around sunrise Tuesday morning the National Weather Service Milwaukee Office's radar (MKX) showed some curious circular reflectivity returns.

The echoes developed suddenly and then grew in size between 6:45 AM and 7:30 AM. The MKX staff suspects these to be birds taking off right at sunrise. Some of the echoes initially show returns as high as 30 dBZ, which would equate to a decent shower if the returns were made of rain drops. These are likely dense clusterings of geese heading out early to feed in the fields.

Below is an animated loop of three radar images taken Tuesday morning at 6:47 AM...6:57 AM....and 7:07 AM. There are large plumes located in Dodge, Dane, Columbia, Green Lake, Fond Du Lac, and Rock counties.  In addition, there is a fourth large clustering in northern Illinois and if you look very close a couple much smaller rings in Jefferson and Waukesha counties.

The Radar Ornithology Laboratory at Clemson University (CUROL) was established in 1990. The laboratory is devoted to the acquisition and analysis of radar data as it relates to bird movements in the atmosphere. Relating radar data, field observation, satellite imagery, and weather data, our laboratory has discovered important factors controlling temporal and spatial patterns of daily and seasonal movements of birds. Our use of the WSR-88D (NEXRAD - Weather Surveillance Radar 88D) network in the United States has allowed us to record large-scale migration events and relate these to topography and local and regional weather conditions. We also are using these data to develop continent-wide and regional migration maps and to build predictive models of migration for different regions of the United States. Some recent work at the Laboratory includes:

 

• Calibrating WSR-88D displays for quantifying bird migration,
• Developing migration maps for different regions of the United States,
• Examining changing migration patterns with comparisons of current and historic radar datasets,
• Developing national migration models from forecast weather variables,
• Forecasting bird migration in the northeastern United States.
• Identifying and delimiting important migration stopover areas by using WSR-88D and classified multispectral satellite data in a GIS,
• Mapping roosting areas of Purple Martins throughout the South, and
• Conducting radar studies of bird migration through Panama.

.

 
Below are photos which were taken in Riverside, Illinois on Monday September 15, 2008
between 2:00pm and 3:30pm of the extensive flooding which occurred after the record rainfall over the past weekend.

Above is the Hoffmann Water Tower & Dam

Above is overflow of the Des Plaines River just downstream from the Hofmann Dam

Above is the Historic Suspension Bridge located in the Heart of Riverside

Above is Street Flooding on the North side of Town.

Above is Street Flooding on the West side of Town.

Above:  The Concrete House on the left is the USGS River Crest - Stage Monitoring Station which
acquires the river data shown below.  To the Right is the Solar Panel used to power the Station.

 

Saturday's persistant all day precipitation has placed  
the calendar date of September 13th in Chicago's
Climate Records at the very top in two categories.
 
Month of September One Day Rainfall Records
6.64"                 September 13,  2008
3.65"                 September 28,  1972
3.44"                 September   9,  1875
2.95"                 September   4,  1894
2.92"                 September   1,  1977
2.71"                 September  26, 1933
2.62"                 September  13, 1936
2.55"                 September  26, 1951
2.48"                 September  10, 1922
2.43"                 September  12, 1961
2.42"                 September  14, 1896
2.42"                 September  17, 1927
2.37"                 September  11, 2000
2.33"                 September    1, 1989
2.13"                 September    1, 1905
2.11"                 September  28, 1872
 
 
One Day Rainfall for All Months
6.64"            September 13,    2008
6.49"            August         14,   1987
6.16"            July               11,   1957
5.63"            August            2,   1885
4.71"            July               27,   1966
4.64"            June             13,   1976
4.58"            June             25,   1959
4.47"            December     2,   1982
4.45"            August         22,    2002
4.31"            August         30,    2001
4.10"            July               26,   1878
3.95"            October          3,   1954
3.93"            July                  6,   1943
3.83"            April               18,   1975
3.79"            August           16,  1968
3.79"            October         13,  2001
3.70"            August          11,  1923
3.65"            September     28, 1972
3.61"            October           17, 1988
3.49"            August            14, 1909
3.47"            August              4, 1989
3.45"            May                  29, 1981
3.44"            February         21, 1997 1.7" snowfall
3.44"            September      9,  1875
3.34"            November        5,  1883
3.30"            May                   11, 1966 0.2" snowfall
3.20"            March               25, 1884
3.18"            November      11,  1881
3.14"            May                    9,  1990
3.12"            March              31,  1929
3.04"            June                23,  1892
3.02"            July                  20,  1978
3.02"            June                11,  1926
  

HURRICANE IKE LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE  THU SEP 11 2008

AT 400 PM ...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IKE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 400 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF GALVESTON TEXAS.

IKE IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 10 MPH...THIS
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS...WITH A TURN
TO THE NORTHWEST EXPECTED LATE FRIDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE
CENTER OF IKE WILL BE VERY NEAR THE UPPER TEXAS COAST BY LATE
FRIDAY. HOWEVER...BECAUSE IKE IS A VERY LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE...WEATHER WILL DETERIORATE ALONG THE COASTLINE LONG BEFORE
THE CENTER REACHES THE COAST.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 100 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IKE
IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE AND IS FORECAST TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE PRIOR TO REACHING THE COASTLINE.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES FROM THE
CENTER.

DEPENDING ON THE EVENTUAL TRACK OF IKE...HURRICANE FORCE WINDS
WILL OCCUR OVER THESE AREAS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS BEGINNING AFTER
MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY SATURDAY. BASED ON THE
CURRENT TRACK FORECAST...THESE WINDS APPEAR MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR
ALONG AND EAST OF THE INTERSTATE 45 CORRIDOR. THE HURRICANE FORCE
WINDS COULD LAST FOR UP TO 6 HOURS.   WIDESPREAD RAINFALL OF 2 TO 4 INCHES WITH ISOLATED TOTALS OF 6 TO
10 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. SIGNIFICANT
FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE IN AREAS OF HEAVIEST RAINFALL.   THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES WILL INCREASE RAPIDLY BEGINNING LATE
FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING AS THE
RAIN BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH IKE SPREAD INLAND.   MAXIMUM WATER LEVELS FORECAST:

GULF-FACING COASTLINE WEST OF SARGENT...5 TO 8 FEET

SHORELINE OF MATAGORDA BAY........5 TO 8 FEET

GULF-FACING COASTLINE SARGENT TO HIGH ISLAND
INCLUDING GALVESTON ISLAND......12 TO 16 FEET

SHORELINE OF GALVESTON BAY......15 TO 22 FEET

LIFE THREATENING INUNDATION LIKELY!

ALL NEIGHBORHOODS...AND POSSIBLY ENTIRE COASTAL COMMUNITIES...
WILL BE INUNDATED DURING THE PERIOD OF PEAK STORM TIDE. PERSONS
NOT HEEDING EVACUATION ORDERS IN SINGLE FAMILY ONE OR TWO STORY
HOMES WILL FACE CERTAIN DEATH. MANY RESIDENCES OF AVERAGE
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY ON THE COAST WILL BE DESTROYED.
VEHICLES LEFT BEHIND WILL LIKELY BE SWEPT AWAY. NUMEROUS ROADS
WILL BE SWAMPED...SOME MAY BE WASHED AWAY BY THE WATER. ENTIRE
FLOOD PRONE COASTAL COMMUNITIES WILL BE CUTOFF. WATER LEVELS MAY
EXCEED 9 FEET FOR MORE THAN A MILE INLAND. COASTAL RESIDENTS IN
MULTI-STORY FACILITIES RISK BEING CUTOFF. CONDITIONS WILL BE
WORSENED BY BATTERING WAVES. SUCH WAVES WILL EXACERBATE PROPERTY
DAMAGE...WITH MASSIVE DESTRUCTION OF HOMES...INCLUDING THOSE OF
BLOCK CONSTRUCTION. DAMAGE FROM BEACH EROSION COULD TAKE YEARS TO
REPAIR. Data Directly Above is Forecasted for Saturday Morning 7:am

Did you know that every rain drop that falls from a thunderstorm over Wisconsin in summer started off as an ice crystal/snowflake?  

Below are two website links with some very informative weather facts posted on the website of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Take your time and read through both pages, they offer many interesting explanations of raindrop inception in the atmosphere and thunderstorm myths and facts.  

Did you know...(how rain starts)?  

Let's take a look at those weather myths & facts!

September 9th Tropical Web Briefing for Hurricane Ike

This morning's low temperature of 49º recorded at O'Hare Airport is the coolest temperature Chicago has Officially experienced since May 7th of 2008, 125 days ago. 

49º is also 7º below the normal daily low temperature of 56º for September 9th.  The coolest Temperature for any September 9th is 43º recorded in 1986.
 
The most recent occurrences of overnight low temperatures in the 40ºs here in Chicago has been:
 
40º        May 24
41º        May 21
42º        May 29
43º        May 28
44º        May 25
45º        May 22
46º        May 23
47º        May 26
48º        May   1
49º        May   7
 
The number of times a September 9th has now experienced overnight low temperatures in the 40ºs has been:
 
49º        3
48º        3
47º        4
46º        0
45º        1
44º        0
43º        1

.

.

Chicago has Officially experienced it's Hottest Day of 2008 so far with a Maximum
Temperature of 94º recorded at 2:58pm.  This makes the 2008 total number
of 90º & Higher days standing at only 6.

June 12:           91º
July 15:             90º
July 16:             90º
August 31:        90º
September 1:   90º
September 2:   94º
 

The Average Date of the Last 90º Day:         August 29th
The Earliest Date of the Last 90º Day:          July 1st, 1967
The Latest   Date of the Last 90º Day:          October 6th, 1963

Chicago may not have seen the last of a 90º temperature in 2008.


The following comparison examination reveals that a 90º temperature
is still possible even if Chicago may experience a Daily Maximum
Temperature of 75º or less.
 

50 Years 36% of the past 137 Years have recorded a Daily Maximum Temperature
of 75º or Less after September 1st and then went on to experience and 90º or Higher
Daily Maximum Temperature shortly thereafter.
 
9-3-1872:   74º     9-5:    91º     9-6:   93º
9-3-1887:   72º     9-6:    92º
9-3-1891:   59º     9-17:  90º     9-24:  91º
9-2-1893:   63º     9-4:    91º     9-14:  95º
9-7-1895:   65º     9-10:  91º     9-11:  92º     9-19:  91º
................................9-20:  91º     9-21:  90º     9-22:  90º
9-2-1897:   69º     9-8:   92º      9-9:   94º     9-10:  94º
................................9-14:  91º     9-15:  91º
9-7-1900:   70º     9-10:  90º
9-2-1908:   66º     9-9:    90º    9-10:   91º    9-11:  92º   9-18:   90º
9-3-1912:   74º     9-1:   93º     9-5:     94º    9-6:    94º  9-9:     91º   9-10:  93º
9-4-1913:   73º     9-1:   95º     9-2:     97º    9-7:    93º
9-5 & 9-11
1915:           70º     9-14:   90º
9-1 & 9-4
1919:           70º     9-6:     91º   9-7:     91º   9-8:   93º
9-2-1920:    66º    9-21:    90º   9-24:   90º
9-9-1924:    59º    9-21:    90º
9-13-1925:  67º   9-19:    91º
9-4-1927:    72º    9-12:   92º    9-13:  95º   9-14:  95º   9-15:   94º
9-6-1931:    71º    9-8:     90º    9-9:    91º   9-10:  94º   9-11:   91º   9-12:  90º
..............................9-13:    92º   9-16:   92º   9-20:  91º   9-21:   90º
9-14-1933:  61º   9-25:    90º
9-2 & 9-8
1935:             63º   9-18:    90º
9-2-1936:      69º   9-11:   91º   9-14:   91º   9-15:   90º
9-13 & 9-16
& 9-19-1937:  60º  9-22:  90º   9-23:  91º
9-5-1939:       69º   9-6:  90º   9-7:  100º  9-12:  94º   9-13:  98º  9-14:  99º  9-15:  99º
9-10-1940:     58º   9-20:  90º
9-3-1942:       70º   9-14:   90º
9-2-1945:       74º   9-5:    92º    9-6:   92º    9-7:   95º
9-1 & 9-2
1946:               71º   9-6:    91º
9-15-1947:     68º    9-18:  90º   9-19:   91º    9-20:  90º
9-8-1948:       71º   9-18:   90º   9-19:   92º
9-28-1951:     56º   10-4:    90º
9-7-1952:       67º   9-9:    90º   9-10:   93º   9-11:  95º   9-12:  96º  9-13:  94º  9-28:  90º
9-21-1953:     60º   9-28:   92º   9-29:  99º   10-2:   90º
9-22-1954:     66º   10-3:   91º
9-7-1955:       70º    9-9:    95º   9-15:   92º   9-16:  92º  9-17:  93º  9-18:  94º   9-19:  93º
9-19-1956:     59º    9-22:  92º
9-16-1959:     56º    9-20:   90º   9-22:  90º
9-5-1962:       64º     9-12:  93º    9-13:  94º 
9-13-1963:     61º     9-18:   90º   9-19:   92º   10-6:  94º
9-1-1964:       71º     9-3:  93º   9-7:  94º    9-8:  93º   9-9:  94º   9-10:  94º
9-1-1968:       75º     9-3:  90º  
9-14-1970:     59º     9-21:  92º
9-25-1971:     58º     9-27:   91º   9-30:  92º   10-1:   92º     10-2:  91º
9-16 & 17
1978.................75º     9-19:    90º    9-20:   90º
9-17-1980:      62º    9-20:  90º
9-5-1984:        69º    9-7:    90º
9-16-1986:      63º    9-22:   90º
9-5-1988:        64º    9-17:   90º
9-11-1991:      71º   9-14:  90º   9-15:  91º
9-5-1994:        65º    9-14:  90º   9-15:  91º
9-24-1998:     66º    9-26:  90º
9-15-2007:     61º    9-24º    
 
72 Years 53% of the past 137 Years have experienced a 90º or Higher Daily Maximum Temperature on or after September 1st.
 

                                           2008
                                      Labor Day
                                   Climate Study
                                Weather Almanac
                                        Chicago
                                      1894 - 2007
 
Highest Temperature:                   97º   9-6-1954   (Average 77.7º)
 
Lowest Temperature:                    44º   9-2-1946 & 9-5-1988  (Average 61.3º)
 
Lowest Maximum Temperature:     61º   9-2-1974
 
Highest Minimum Temperature:     75º   9-3-1973
 
Highest Rainfall:                           1.49"   9-2-1912
 
41 36% Labor Day Holidays in Chicago of the past 114 experienced
Measurable Rainfall of 0.01" or Greater.
0.37" is the Average Rainfall for those 41 Days.
 
The Last Time Rain has fallen on a Labor Day:  9-4-2006   0.38"
 
The Number of Times the Respective Temperature Reached Into:
 
24 Hour Maximum Temperatures       24 Hour Minimum Temperatures
90ºs              8                     7%                70ºs           10                      9%
80ºs            43                   38%               60ºs           60                    53%
70ºs            46                   40%               50ºs           40                    35%
60ºs            17                   15%               40ºs             4                       3%
Totals:       114                  100%            Totals:       114                 100%
 
Warmest Labor Days (24 Hour Temperatures)
97º   9-6-1954                   91º   9-2-1929
96º   9-7-1959                   90º   9-7-1970
95º   9-1-1913                   89º   9-3-1956
95º   9-5-1983                   88º   9-1-1947
94º   9-7-1964                   88º   9-4-1995
93º   9-3-1973
 
Coolest Labor Days (24 Hour Temperatures)
44º   9-2-1946                 51º   9-3-1984
44º   9-5-1988                 52º   9-3-1928
46º   9-4-1972                 52º   9-3-1945
48º   9-7-1914                 52º   9-5-1966
50º   9-2-1974                 52º   9-7-1981
50º   9-6-1993                 53º   9-7-1953
 
Lowest Maximum Temperatures (24 Hour Values)
61º   9-2-1974                         64º   9-5-1988
63º   9-4-1905                         65º   9-5-1994
63º   9-2-1935                         65º   9-1-2003
 
Highest Minimum Temperatures (24 Hour Values)
75º   9-3-1973                         72º   9-1-1913
73º   9-7-1959                         71º   9-2-1912
73º   9-7-1970                         71º   9-5-1960
 
Rainiest Labor Days   (24 Hour Values)
1.49"   9-2-1912     1.00"   9-7-1998
1.30"   9-2-1963     0.97"   9-1-1952
1.20"   9-5-1898     0.81"   9-7-1942
1.06"   9-5-1983     0.65"   9-3-2002
1.00"   9-7-1981     0.49"   9-1-1980
 
Smallest Single Day Temperature Difference
24 Hour Range Between Maximum & Minimum
3º          9-3-1917                68º                65º
4º          9-3-1906                70º                66º
4º          9-5-1921                72º                68º
4º          9-1-2003                65º                61º
6º          9-3-1900                71º                65º
6º          9-3-1923                74º                68º
6º          9-2-1935                63º                57º
7º          9-5-1994                65º                58º
8º          9-4-1905                63º                55º
8º          9-1-1919                70º                62º
 
Greatest Single Day Temperature Difference
24 Hour Range Between Maximum & Minimum
30º        9-1-1997               85º                 55º
29º        9-5-2005               87º                 58º
28º        9-3-1945               80º                 52º
28º        9-6-1954               97º                 69º
28º        9-6-1976               83º                 55º
28º        9-1-1986               83º                 55º
27º        9-2-1946               71º                 44º
27º        9-5-1983               95º                 68º
26º        9-7-1964               94º                 68º
26º        9-4-1978               82º                 56º
26º        9-2-1996               84º                 58º
25º        9-3-1956               89º                 64º
25º        9-4-1972               71º                 46º
 
Hourly Occurrences of Rainfall (Trace or Greater)
for the Labor Day Holiday from 1950 - 2007
9-1-1952     0.97"     8:am - 3:pm   Daytime
9-2-1957     Trace    1:pm              Daytime
9-5-1960     Trace    3:am, 9:am     Night & Daytime
9-4-1961     0.20"    Midnite - 3:am, 2:pm - 4:pm   Night & Daytime
9-3-1962     0.04"    1:pm - 3:pm    Daytime
9-2-1963     1.30"    6:am - 11:am, 10:pm - Midnite  Night & Daytime
9-7-1964     Trace   3:am   Night
9-6-1965     Trace   7:pm   Daytime
9-5-1966     Trace   11:pm  Night
9-2-1968     0.02"    8:pm - 9:pm  Night & Daytime
9-7-1970     0.04"    11:pm  Night
9-6-1971     0.16"    2:am - 6:am, 5:pm  Night & Daytime
9-3-1973     0.19"    6:pm 0 8:pm   Daytime
9-2-1974     0.20"    1:am - 4:am, Noon - 5:pm  Night & Daytime
9-1-1980     0.49"    1:am - 7:am, Noon - 1:pm  Night & Daytime
9-7-1981     1.00"    3:pm - 7:pm    Daytime
9-6-1982     0.11"    7:am - 2:pm, 5:pm, 10:pm - 11:pm  Night & Daytime
9-5-1983     1.06"    7:am, 6:pm - Midnite   Night & Daytime
9-7-1987     Trace   9:am, 3:pm - 8:pm   Daytime
9-4-1989     0.13"   5:pm - 7:pm  Daytime
9-7-1992     0.19"   10:am - 11:am, 11:pm - Midnite   Night & Daytime
9-6-1993     0.24"   4:am - 7:am   Night & Daytime
9-5-1994     0.29"   3:am - 7:am   Night & Daytime
9-7-1998     1.00"   1:am - 3:am   Night
9-4-2000     Trace   9:am - 10:am   Daytime
9-3-2001     Trace   7:pm - 9:pm     Night & Daytime
9-2-2002     0.65"   9:am - Noon     Daytime
9-1-2003     0.32"   Midnite - 5:pm  Night & Daytime
9-6-2004     0.07"   10:am - 2:pm    Daytime
9-4-2006     0.38"   Midnite - 10:am, 1:pm - 3:pm, 6:pm - Midnite  Night & Daytime
 
Here is what the Hourly Occurrence of Rainfall Examination above is telling us:
Rainfall has occurred on Labor Day Holidays
During Night Time Hours:                4 Times or 13%
Rainfall has occurred on Labor Day Holidays
During Daylight Hours:                  11 Times or 37%
Rainfall has occurred on Labor Day Holidays
During Night & Daylight Hours:      15 Times or 50% 
From 1950 - 2007 there have been 30 Labor Days experiencing Rainfall
of a Trace of Greater.

Study Period
1894 - 2007

Information Regarding Current Tropical Storm Systems Approaching the United States

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Surface Sea Temperatures in Fahrenheit