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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 >

 

Overview

 

Climate Summary

January 2021 Monthly Review

 

Chicago and Rockford January 2021 Summary
 
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
559 PM CST Mon Feb 1 2021 /659 PM EST Mon Feb 1 2021/

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of January 2021 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 33.9 degrees, which
is 2.9 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was 24.4
degrees, which is 7.9 degrees above normal. The average temperature
for the month was 29.2 degrees, which is 5.4 degrees above normal.
During the month of January, 1.95 inches of precipitation were
recorded, which is 0.22 inches above normal. 21.9 inches of snow
fell, which is 11.1 inches above normal.

There were no daily records set for Chicago during the month of
January 2021.

One Top Ten Monthly Record:
** 10th snowiest January on record since 1871 with 21.9 inches of
   snow

At Rockford, the average high temperature was 32.7 degrees, which
is 3.2 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was 20.6
degrees, which is 7.1 degrees above normal. The average temperature
for the month was 26.6 degrees, which is 5.1 degrees above normal.
During the month of January, 2.04 inches of precipitation were
recorded, which is 0.67 inches above normal. 16.2 inches of snow
fell, which is 6.0 inches above normal.

There were no daily or monthly records set for Rockford during
the month of January 2021.

$$

 

Latest Monthly Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Events

  •  January 30-31, 2021: Widespread 6-12+" 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

 

For more, see the ​NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page