Add the Punchline to Our 'Where's Winter' Cartoon

If you've got wit, add your punchline to Patch's weekly comic and win a personalized print.

Are you blessed with insight and good humor? Or just bored today? Share your wit with your southwest suburban neighbors by entering Patch's comic caption challenge. Just add your dialogue for today's comic in the comment section of this post. Our only requirement is that you keep it clean! At week's end, we'll pick the winning punchline based on how many of us here at Patch giggle and smile at your contribution. The user who produces the winning punchline will get a personalized proof of the comic, with the winning words and a credit line, from cartoonist Chuck Ingwersen and Patch. Congratulations to Ellis Maldonado, who provided the winning punchline to last week's octopus comic: Though I appreciate the subtle "you scratch my back, I …

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One Year Later: Snowmageddon 2011

Look back at the great blizzard through statistics and pictures.

High temperatures in the area hovered around 58 degrees Tuesday. It’s hard to believe that exactly one year ago we were bracing for nearly two feet of snow. We’re taking a look back at the storm that buried Darien between Feb. 1-2, 2011, through pictures and statistics. We’ll all be that much more grateful for this year’s (so far) mild winter. All storm data comes from the National Weather Service. In many cases, data specific to Darien wasn’t available, so we used the next closest towns. Snowfall totals: Downers Grove got 21.1 inches of snow during the blizzard, while Willowbrook was buried under 20.1 inches. Blown away: Wind gusts of up to 59 mph hit Romeoville during the storm’s peak on Feb. 1, 2011.  Peak hours: The most snow fell …

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1-2 Inches of Snow Expected Friday Night

Most the snow will fall before midnight, the National Weather Service reports.

The sun may be shining now, but more snow is on the way. The National Weather Service said the Darien area could get one to two inches of snow accumulating before midnight Friday. Dig out the shovels because there's a 90 percent chance this prediction will become a reality. Expect a low of 26 degrees overnight. The snow won't linger too long, as temperatures will likely rise to the upper 30s by Monday, NWS reports. On Tuesday it will be a veritable heat wave, with highs around 46 degrees.

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Your Photos: Wintertime in Darien

Upload your photos of winter weather, or email them to lauren.williamson@patch.com.

Got a beautiful photo of winter in Darien? Share it with your neighbors by uploading it to this gallery, or email it to lauren.williamson@patch.com.

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Thunderstorm Could Hit Ahead of Cold Front

Yes, a thunderstorm.

There’s a very real chance the area could see a thunderstorm Sunday night in front of a cold front moving through the Chicago area, the National Weather Service reports. Darien is on the far northern edge of the front, which is expected to sweep along Interstate 55 between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., the report said. Along with the storm could come wind gusts of up to 60 mph.  Travel will be hazardous regardless Sunday night as fog settles in the area, the NWS said. Rain and melting snow will make for slick roads.  Temperatures are expected to fall throughout the day Monday, with a morning high of 39 degrees dropping to 31 by dinnertime, according to the report. The area could see some rain or snow before noon.

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More Snow on the Way, Winter Reminders from the City

One to two inches of snow is on the way Tuesday, the National Weather Service reports.

Darien’s snowplows got their first big test of the season last Thursday.  Now forecasters predict that the next round, albeit a much milder one, will arrive Tuesday. Expect rain to turn to snow after 9 a.m. with temperatures falling throughout the day to around 23 degrees, the National Weather Service said. There could be some freezing rain as the drizzle transitions to snow, NWS reports.  While the odds of snow are at 90 percent, the NWS said the Darien area will accumulate only one to two inches. The city of Darien reminded residents in a release Friday that it prioritizes high-traffic streets when plowing. Once the main arteries are clear, the plows will address connector roads, followed by residential streets. It takes about four hours…

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District 63 Cancels After-School Activities

Activities are still on in District 61, District 66, District 86 and Our Lady of Peace.

Due to the snowy weather, all after-school activities have been canceled Thursday at District 63 schools, which include Concord Elementary and Cass Junior High, Superintendent Kerry Foderaro said. Buses will run on their normal schedule. The BASE program will remain open until 6 p.m., as usual. Elsewhere in Darien, District 61, District 66 and Our Lady of Peace after-school activities are scheduled to continue as normal. A Hinsdale South bowling tournament against Romeoville has been canceled, Principal Brian Waterman said, but all other District 86 activities will run on the usual schedule.

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Snowmageddon 2011: Your Photos from the Storm

Got great blizzard pics? Let your neighbors know what you're dealing with by posting them to Darien Patch.

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UPDATED: Cancellations and Closings Around Darien

Check back throughout the day for the latest on blizzard-related cancelations and closings.

Darien Park District Community Center The Community Center will be open during normal business hours Thursday. However, both the morning and afternoon sessions of the First Step Preschool are canceled. Some other Park District programs will also be canceled Thursday. The Park District will try to notify all patrons of program cancellations, but you may also call 630-968-6400, ext. 0, after 6 a.m.  District 61 (Mark DeLay, Lace and Eisenhower) School is canceled at all three district schools Thursday. District 63 (Concord and Cass) Both District 63 schools are closed Thursday. District 66 (Elizabeth Ide, Prairieview and Lakeview) Classes are canceled at all three schools Thursday. District 86 (Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central) School and…

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