DeKALB | Mike Autenrieth, a senior sociology major, found an unpleasant surprise waiting for him Thursday morning when he went to start his truck. He had to brush snow off the windows without the aid of his snow brush, which was conveniently back at home in Arlington Heights.

Thursday’s snow flurries — a half-inch as of mid-afternoon, according to the National Weather Service — broke the record for the earliest recorded measurable snowfall in DeKalb. Previously, the record for DeKalb stood at 1.8 inches on Oct. 20, 1989. Most of the Chicago area broke local records as well.

Meteorologists forecasted the storm several days in advance, but measurable snow was not expected.

“Wow, we knew we were going to get flurries, but we weren’t expecting half an inch,” said Gilbert Sebenste, NIU staff meteorologist.

David Changnon, a geography professor at NIU, said he was surprised the snow accumulated on cars and the ground. Changnon said the snowfall was a total anomaly and he expects the weather to go back up into the 50s by the weekend.

Changnon compared the weather to the extremes on a bell curve, and said this record-breaking weather is very unusual. The condition that created the opportunity for snow was caused by low pressure in the upper-level winds that pulled arctic air over the great lakes, he said.

“Never say never. It’s not like it never happens,” Changnon said. “I wouldn’t be shocked if we had a few more snow showers today.”

Last year, there was no trace of flurries or snow in DeKalb until Nov. 16.

“As soon as I heard that there would be snow this week, I didn’t believe it,” Autenrieth said. “I was wearing shorts last week.”

Dan Stone is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.