39. Weather records in Champaign - Urbana

If you are depressed by the rainy, foggy, winter weather of Champaign Urbana Savoy, you might pass the time reading the weather records of the area. Following are some bits and pieces of info on weather in this area. Just for the record, Today's high of 61°F (17° C) was the highest for this day (December 27) in the last 100 years!! It tied the all time high record for this day ... the only so hot December 27 in recorded history was in 1907.

• Average warmest month: July
  

• The record high is 109° F (43°C) on July 14, 1954.

• Coolest month: January.

• The record low is -25° F (-32°C) on four(!) occasions: 9 Feb 1899, 13 Feb 1905, 19 Jan 1994, and 5 Jan 1999.

• The most precipitation on average occurs in May.
  
  
• The maximum seasonal snowfall was 67.2 inches in the winter of 1977-78.
  
  
• The minimum seasonal snowfall was 6.7 inches in the winter of 1953-54.

• The greatest depth of snow on the ground was 19 inches on February 8-10, 1982.

• The greatest 24-hour snowfall was 15 inches on January 1-2, 1999.

• The average date of the first measurable snow (one-tenth of an inch or more) is November 23.

• The average date of the first 1-inch snow (1 inch or more) is December 2.

• The average date of the last spring frost is April 15.

• The average date of the first fall frost is October 17.

[Source: UofI]

38. Candlestick lane in Champaign-Urbana

Looking for nice Christmas lights and displays? Then you must visit Candlestick Lane in Urbana.




(image from gct13.com )

Candlestick Lane is located along Grant Place and parts of Eastern Drive and Fairlawn Drive, between Cottage Grove and Philo Road, Urbana. Each year, residents in this neighborhood decorate their homes and yards with many holiday lights and decorations. It is estimated that about 50 homes in this neighborhood display approximately 50,000 lights each year. (Source: Champaign Public Library)

News-gazette reported in 2006 that the tradition started in around 1960.




(another great image from gct13.com)



Unfortunately, the sad state of the economy took its toll this year (2008). On November 12, News-Gazette reported that the people living on Candlestick lane decided to cut back the lighting, at least for this year.


I am still hopeful that they will put on at least some display. So, do pay a visit to the famous street of Urbana, and bask in the light of Christmas.

Happy Holidays!!