Science & Nature

Winter Is Over, Meteorologically, and It Wasn’t as Miserable in Chicago as It Seemed

Meteorologically speaking, winter is over and, statistically speaking, it wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

Despite a long streak in January when temps struggled to reach double digits, the mean average temperature for the entire season — December, January and February — was 27.3 degrees, or just .8 degrees below normal, according to the National Weather Service winter recap for Chicago.

The snow total fell short, reaching 21.9 inches, which is 7.7 inches below normal. The difference-maker was an uncommonly warm day in January that produced rain instead of what could have been nearly two feet of snow. (Note: November’s snow totals technically fell in autumn.)

Speaking of rain, seasonal liquid precipitation measured 4.76 inches, or 1.31 inches below normal. Nearly 2 inches of that total fell on the day referenced above.

February closed out both drier and warmer than normal in Chicago. The mean average temperature for the month was 33.1 degrees, or 4.3 degrees above normal, including a record daily high temperature of 65 degrees set on Feb. 16.

But the big story in February was the lack of snow and rain. Just 1.1 inches of snow was recorded, or 9.6 inches below normal. Rainfall totaled a scant .16 inches, which is 1.81 inches below normal.

According to the weather service, February 2026 was the third driest February in Chicago since recordkeeping began in the late 1800s, and was tied for the seventh driest of any month on record.

The lack of moisture, when coupled with high winds, created conditions ripe for wildfires. Multiple warnings were issued in February.

March appears poised to reverse that trend, with a chance of rain in the forecast throughout the first week of the month.

Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]

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