Published 23 February
Snowfall in Chicago
When I first moved to Chicago, I was warned about the cold, the wind, and the snow. (I had after all interviewed between two snow storms.) But these past two winters have seemed significantly less snowy. My question is, have they?
Yes. While the 2012/3 winter is not yet over—snow is forecasted for today—a full two-thirds of this winter (meteorological) has seen among the lowest snowfall amounts of the last decade. And last winter, 2011/2, is one of only nine winters since 1884/5 to record less than 20 inches of snow.
Chicago may yet see a major snowstorm to bring its total up to near-average levels. History records several storms dropping near a foot of snow in March and April. Unfortunately, the city has a long way to go before reaching the average snow per year at 37.2 inches. (Source: NOAA)
Monthly Snowfall
Nov–Apr; 2002/3–2012/3; inches
Annual Snowfall
1884/5–2011/2; inches
37.2