How Much Snow Has Chicago Gotten So Far
This is the absolute longest, silliest, and most step-by-step guide you will ever read on one single number. Why? Because figuring out how much snow Chicago has gotten so far is basically like trying to find one specific snowflake in a blizzard! It’s all about when you look and where you are, but don't stress, we're gonna crack this code like a detective wearing mittens.
The Short Answer First (For the Impatient Snow Lover):
As of this part of the year, Chicago (specifically the official measuring spot at O'Hare International Airport) has logged approximately of snowfall for the Meteorological Winter (December 1 through February 28). If we look at the Seasonal total (starting around the fall), the number bumps up a bit, currently sitting around or so. That's a super low total, fam! The average is closer to by this point!
Step 1: Understand That "Chicago Snow" is a Mood, Not a Single Number
You might think snow is snow, right? Wrong. In Chicago, snow totals are like social media followers—they change all the time, and everyone measures them differently.
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| How Much Snow Has Chicago Gotten So Far |
1.1 The Official Ruler (O'Hare Airport)
The real official, put-it-on-the-record snowfall for Chicago is measured at O'Hare International Airport. It’s like the "Head Boss in Charge" of snow totals.
Why there? Because it's a consistent, open spot where a meteorologist can officially measure the snow away from buildings and drifts. It keeps things honest.
Fun Fact: If it snows downtown but only at O'Hare, the official Chicago total is ! I know, right? Talk about a buzzkill.
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
1.2 The "My Backyard" Total (The Unofficial MVP)
This is the number everyone actually cares about. You know, the on your driveway versus the the TV guy is saying.
The Lake Effect: Chicago sits right next to Lake Michigan. When a cold wind blows over the slightly warmer lake water, it picks up moisture and then dumps it as snow, usually on the areas closest to the lake. This is why Gurnee might get and Naperville gets on the same day. It's totally wild!
Step 2: The Time Traveler's Guide to Snow Measurement
To get the so far number, you need to know what "so far" means in snow-speak.
2.1 The "Seasonal" Total (The Whole Shebang)
This total usually starts when the first little snowflakes fall (sometimes as early as October or November) and goes all the way until the last flake melts (which can be April!).
Current Vibe Check: For the whole season, starting from fall, Chicago (O'Hare) is usually around the mark as we roll into late winter/early spring, but this is based on a specific, super-low year. You gotta check the current year’s data! A normal year would see a much higher number.
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
2.2 The "Meteorological Winter" Total (The Core Months)
Meteorologists—the weather nerds—have a special total just for December, January, and February. This is often the lowest total, and for a recent low-snow year, it was reported as only .
Why only three months? It helps them compare winter-to-winter more easily because the weather in November and March can be super random. It's science, dude.
Step 3: Find the Real-Time Scoop (Become a Weather Detective)
Since the exact number changes every single day the moment a new flake drops, here's how you find the most current, non-negotiable total.
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3.1 Google Is Your Co-Pilot
Search like a boss: Type in "Chicago official seasonal snowfall total" or "Chicago snowfall to date O'Hare".
Pro Tip: Look for results from the National Weather Service (NWS) or local news weather departments. They get the official data straight from the source. Don't trust some random blog! (Except this one, of course.)
3.2 Check the Weather Nerd's Home Page
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
Go straight to the source: The National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago website is where the actual numbers live. They post tables that show the official total for the season right up to the last measurement taken.
Warning: This data is less funny, but super accurate. They are all about the facts, not the jokes.
Step 4: The Final Tally (A Reality Check)
So, what is the answer, like, actually?
Because I am writing this post before a specific date, I had to do a super-sleuth search! As of a very recent winter season that was super light on snow, the total was ridiculously low.
The "So Far" Grand Total (O'Hare Official, Seasonal):
(A seriously low total for an entire season by late February/early March in a recent light-snow year!)
The Average Grand Tally (What it Should be):
Closer to by late winter!
So, the biggest takeaway is this: Chicago had a major snow deficit! The snow gods were clearly on vacation. Bummer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Snow Style!
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
How to find the average yearly snowfall for Chicago? The long-term average annual snowfall for Chicago (O'Hare) is about per season.
How to check the snow total for my specific suburb? You need to search for local weather reports for that specific suburb (like "Naperville snowfall total") or check your local news station's "storm totals" map, as the official O'Hare number won't cover your street.
How to tell if it's lake-effect snow? Lake-effect snow usually happens when it’s super cold, and the heaviest snow falls near the lake shore, often in narrow, intense bands while areas further west get little to nothing.
How to know if a snow year is a record-breaker? A record low year for Chicago was the winter of , which saw only . The most ever was back in ! You compare the current official season total to these records.
How to measure snow correctly in my own yard? Find a flat area away from trees or buildings, use a ruler, and measure the depth in a few different places, then take the average!
How to figure out the "winter season" start date for snowfall? The seasonal total usually begins with the first measurable snow, often in October or November, and runs through late spring (sometimes April).
How to get the most accurate, up-to-the-minute snow total? Check the National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago's website for their current "seasonal total" or "snowfall observations" page.
How to keep track of snow totals yourself? Keep a notebook and measure the snow depth after each storm and add it to your running tally. It’s like being your own mini-meteorologist!
How to know if the next storm will bring a lot of snow? Watch for forecasts that mention a "Clipper system" or "major low-pressure system" and cold air moving over Lake Michigan.
How to find out the biggest snowfall Chicago ever had in one day? The record for the biggest single-day snowfall in Chicago was back in the famous Blizzard of 1967. That's a lot of snow!
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