February 2024 and Winter 2023-2024 Climate Summaries

Overview

Both Chicago and Rockford had their warmest February on record with average temperatures of 39.5 and 37.4 degrees, respectively. However, precipitation and snowfall was below normal for the month at both sites.

This past February finished as the warmest February on record for both Chicago and Rockford with average temperatures at both cities ending up over 10 degrees above normal. It was also a relatively dry month with little snowfall across the area.

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Precipitation Summary

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Snowfall Summary

Unseasonably warm temperatures were seen at both Chicago and Rockford making it the 5th warmest winter on record for Chicago and warmest on record for Rockford. While precipitation was above normal, snowfall was below normal for the winter season.

Outside of mid-January, this past winter was exceptionally mild and featured little snowfall. It finished as the warmest winter on record for Rockford and the 5th warmest for Chicago.

CoCoRaHS Observer Seasonal Precipitation Summary

CoCoRaHS Observer Seasonal Snowfall Summary

Chicago and Rockford February 2024 Climate Summary

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1143 AM CST Fri Mar 1 2024 /1243 PM EST Fri Mar 1 2024/

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of February 2024 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 49.2 degrees, which
is 13.5 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
29.7 degrees, which is 7.9 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 39.5 degrees, which is 10.7 degrees
above normal. 0.65 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 1.32 inches below normal. 1.2 inches of snow were
recorded, which is 9.5 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Chicago this past
February:
* Daily maximum temperature of 56 degrees tied on the 9th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of of 71 degrees set on the
  26th. This was also the first 70 degree temperature reading
  in the month of February since February 20, 2017.
* Record warm daily minimum temperature of 52 degrees set on the
  27th.

The following top ten monthly records were set for Chicago
this past February:
** Warmest February on record for Chicago.


At Rockford, the average high temperature was 49.7 degrees, which
is 16.3 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
25.2 degrees, which is 7.4 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 37.4 degrees, which is 11.8 degrees
above normal. 0.29 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 1.34 inches below normal. 1.0 inch of snow was recorded,
which is 7.5 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Rockford this past
February:
* Record daily maximum temperature of 55 degrees set on the 1st.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 52 degrees set on the 4th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 59 degrees set on the 8th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 73 degrees set on the 26th.
* Record warm daily minimum temperature of 45 degrees set on the
  27th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 78 degrees set on the 27th.
* Record maximum temperature for the month of February set on the
  27th with a reading of 78 degrees.

The following top ten monthly records were set for Rockford this
past February:
** Warmest February on record for Rockford.
** 8th driest February on record for Rockford.
** Tied the 10th least snowiest February on record for Rockford.


$$

Latest Monthly Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Chicago and Rockford Winter 2023-2024 Climate Summary

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
142 PM CST Fri Mar 1 2024 /242 PM EST Fri Mar 1 2024/

...A Look Back at the Climate for Meteorological Winter
(December, January, February) 2023-2024 for Chicago and
Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 41.4 degrees, which
is 6.8 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
28.4 degrees, which is 6.8 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the season was 34.9 degrees, which is 6.8 degrees
above normal. 7.12 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 1.05 inches above normal. 18.5 inches of snow were
recorded, which is 11.1 inches below normal.

Daily and top ten monthly records established for Chicago this
past winter...

December:
* Record daily highest minimum temperature of 50 degrees on the
  25th.
** Tied 4th warmest December on record since 1872 with a mean
   average temperature of 39.0 degrees.

January:
* Record daily liquid precipitation of 0.93 inches on the 9th.

February:
* Daily maximum temperature of 56 degrees tied on the 9th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of of 71 degrees set on the
  26th. This was also the first 70 degree temperature reading
  in the month of February since February 20, 2017.
* Record warm daily minimum temperature of 52 degrees set on the
  27th.
** Warmest February on record for Chicago.

The following top ten seasonal records were set for Chicago this
past winter:
** 5th warmest winter on record for Chicago.



At Rockford, the average high temperature was 40.1 degrees, which
is 7.8 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
24.6 degrees, which is 7.1 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the season was 32.4 degrees, which is 7.5 degrees
above normal. 5.70 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 0.54 inches above normal. 19.7 inches of snow were
recorded, which is 9.1 inches below normal.

Daily and top ten monthly records established for Rockford this
past winter...

December:
* Record warm daily minimum temperature of 42 degrees on the 8th.
* Tied record warm daily minimum temperature of 40 degrees on the
  16th.
* Record daily highest minimum temperature of 47 degrees on the
  24th.
* Record warm daily minimum temperature of 45 degrees on the
  25th.
** 2nd warmest December on record since 1905 with a mean average
   temperature of 36.3 degrees.

January:
* Record cold daily maximum temperature of -3 degrees on the
  14th.

February:
* Record daily maximum temperature of 55 degrees set on the 1st.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 52 degrees set on the 4th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 59 degrees set on the 8th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 73 degrees set on the 26th.
* Record warm daily minimum temperature of 45 degrees set on the
  27th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 78 degrees set on the 27th.
* Record maximum temperature for the month of February set on the
  27th with a reading of 78 degrees.
** Warmest February on record for Rockford.
** 8th driest February on record for Rockford.
** Tied the 10th least snowiest February on record for Rockford.

The following top ten seasonal records were set for Rockford this
past winter:
** Warmest winter on record for Rockford.


$$

Latest Seasonal Climate Report: Chicago | Rockford

Events

January 5-6, 2024: Widespread 1-3" of snow in northern Illinois, with localized totals up to around 5"

January 8-9, 2024: Upwards of 6-7" of snow accumulation across portions of northern Illinois

January 12-13, 2024: Widespread 6-13" of snow across northern Illinois inland from Lake Michigan

January 14-17, 2024: Multiday stretch of bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills

January 19-20, 2024: Intense lake effect snow band in northwest Indiana produces around 1 foot of snow in northeast Porter County; closer to 3 feet farther east

Mid-Late January, 2024: Ice jams and river flooding along several area rivers

February 16, 2024: 1-4" of snow near and south of the Illinois and Kankakee river valleys

February 27, 2024: Record warmth culminates in evening severe storms with large hail and several tornadoes

NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page