Science & Nature
Snow Was a No-Show in Chicago This Winter, Close to 20 Inches Below Normal
Chicagoans made the most of the season’s big “snowstorm” in February, which dropped less than 3 inches on the city in one of the least snowy winters. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
Knock wood, but according to meteorologists, Chicago just came through its 10th least snowy winter in recorded history.
The caveat: forecasters are referring to meteorological winter, which technically ended Feb. 28. As Chicagoans well know, winter doesn’t truly end until summer starts sometime in mid-June. Cubs/White Sox home opener canceled due to snow? Been there, done that.
But for the period measured from December 2024 through February 2025, Chicago notched just 11.9 inches of snowfall. That’s 17.7 inches below normal — low enough to crack the top 10 of all-time least snowiest.
It was a dry winter all the way around, with precipitation coming up short, too: The total of 4.43 inches was 1.64 inches below normal.
A couple of arctic blasts negated milder weather, with temperatures averaging 27.3 degrees for the season, .8 degrees below normal.
This week, the first in meteorological spring, will feel like anything but. The forecast calls for a cold front to move in Wednesday, bringing with it multiple chances for, you guessed it, snow.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
