Fresh Snow and Temperature Outlook Ahead of Christmas Day

If you are looking for fresh snow by Christmas morning or are curious about potential travel disruptions, the best chances for at least 1" of new snowfall early this week exist across the mountainous West, Great Lakes, and Northeast. Otherwise, temperatures this last full week of December will average above normal for much of the lower 48 states. Read More >

Stats and visualizations of the active winter stretch in Chicago from late January through mid-February

Snowiest three weeks since 1979	Chicago O'Hare snowfall accumulation	Chicago O'Hare frequently low visibility
This winter also experienced nine consecutive days (Feb 8-16) with measurable snowfall in Chicago, tying the record for the most with February 3-11, 2018. This winter had the longest stretch of a foot or more of snow cover since the 1978-79 winter for both Chicago (15 days) and Rockford (19 days). This also was the longest stretch of 4+" of snow cover at Rockford since the 1978-79 winter.

Winter 2020-2021 Events

February 14-16, 2021: Heavy snow including lake effect brings a foot plus to all of the city of Chicago; caps off record three weeks

February 12-13, 2021: Widespread 2-4" with lake enhanced in northwest Indiana up to 8"

February 8-9, 2021: Multiple light to moderate snow events bring 2-5"

February 4-5, 2021: Wind gusts over 40 mph bring widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions at times

January 30-31, 2021: Widespread 6-13" of snow brings Chicago its largest snow event in five years

January 25-26, 2021: Snow event brings 5 to 8 inches of snow to parts of the I-88 corridor and Chicago

January 19, 2021: Snow squall moves over part of the Chicago area producing intense snowfall rates

January 3-5, 2021: Multiple days with rime ice, hoar frost, and "smoke stack" snow

January 1, 2021: Wintry system brings up to 3" of snow for the Chicago metro and over 1/4" of ice accumulation farther south

December 29-30, 2020: Snow and ice event, with 6" to 8" in Winnebago County

November 24, 2020: First measurable snow of the winter season for many with totals up to 3"

NWS Chicago Past Events Page

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Fresh Snow and Temperature Outlook Ahead of Christmas Day

2020-2021 Winter Events and an Active Three Weeks in Perspective