Record-breaking temperatures heat up DeKalb
October 9, 2007
A heat wave struck DeKalb and the rest of northern Illinois this weekend, pushing temperatures close to 90 degrees.
Gilbert Sebenste, staff meteorologist, said the heat wave broke several records.
“On Saturday, the temperature high was 87 degrees, and on Sunday, the temperature high was 89 degrees,” Sebenste said. Saturday’s high broke the record high of 86 degrees, set in 1916, while Sunday’s high broke the 1905 record high of 86 degrees.
“Normally, it’s a high of 65 degrees by day, and 42 degrees by night,” Sebenste said.
Despite the record-breaking temperatures, some students didn’t notice.
“It’s been hot for awhile. I haven’t changed out of my shorts yet,” said Michael Barnes, a freshman undecided major.
Other students reacted negatively to the heat.
Joe Tedeschi, a freshman Spanish literature and language major, said the heat adversely affected his health.
“I forgot to take my heart medication midway through the day, and I was really tired,” Tedeschi said. “Also, I’m not supposed to be doing stuff in extreme heat, but all day, I was walking and carrying stuff.”
Sebenste could not say for sure if Monday’s high temperature would break the record of 86 degrees, also set in 1905.
“We won’t know officially until [Tuesday]. Before the rain, it was just around 86. But we’ll know [Tuesday] morning,” Sebenste said.
Every morning, members of the geography department visit the National Weather Service station in DeKalb to check the previous day’s weather.