If you’ve lived in Chicago for more than five minutes, you know the drill. You check the forecast, see "dusting," and wake up to a foot of powder. Or, like the winter of 2024–2025, you brace for the worst and end up with... basically nothing. Seriously, last year was a weird one. We officially clocked in just 17.6 inches for the entire season. That is peanuts. It actually ranked as one of the top ten least snowy winters since they started keeping track back in 1884.
But then look at right now. As I’m writing this in early 2026, we’ve already been hammered. By December 7, 2025, O'Hare had already recorded 17.1 inches. That is basically the entire previous year's total dumped on us before winter even "officially" started. It’s the snowiest start to a season we've seen since 1978.
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Chicago Snowfall by Year: The Heavy Hitters and the No-Shows
When people talk about Chicago snowfall by year, the conversation usually turns into a "who had it worse" contest between generations. You’ve got the 1978–1979 crowd who basically lived in igloos. That season remains the undisputed heavyweight champion with 89.7 inches. Imagine nearly 90 inches of the white stuff. It’s hard to even wrap your head around that much shoveling.
Then you have the total opposite end of the spectrum. The winter of 1920–1921 was almost laughably dry, seeing only 9.8 inches. It's wild how much the numbers swing. You can’t really predict a "normal" year because "normal" in Chicago is just a mathematical average of two extremes.
The All-Time Record Holders
Honestly, looking at the data from the National Weather Service, the "greatest hits" list is pretty dramatic.
- 1978–1979: 89.7 inches (The King)
- 1977–1978: 82.3 inches
- 2013–2014: 82.0 inches (The "Chiberia" year)
- 1969–1970: 77.0 inches
- 1966–1967: 68.4 inches
The 2013–2014 season is the one most younger Chicagoans remember vividly. It wasn't just the 82 inches; it was the relentless, soul-crushing cold that came with it. We were hitting -16°F with wind chills that made you question every life choice that led you to the Midwest.
Why the 1967 Blizzard Still Rules the Local Legend
If you want to get a local talking, just mention the 1967 blizzard. It wasn't the snowiest year overall, but it was the single most chaotic storm event. Between January 26 and 27, the sky just opened up and dropped 23 inches in about 29 hours.
The city didn't just slow down; it broke. People abandoned 20,000 cars and 1,100 buses right in the middle of the streets. You've probably seen the grainy black-and-white photos of Lake Shore Drive looking like a graveyard for vehicles. It remains the biggest single-storm total in our history. What’s truly nuts? Two days before it hit, it was 65°F. Chicago weather has always been a moody teenager.
The Recent Trend: Are Winters Actually Getting Weak?
It kinda feels like it, doesn't it? Before this current 2025–2026 spike, we were on a bit of a "warm" streak. The 2024–2025 season (17.6 inches) and the 2022–2023 season were both significantly below the 30-year average of roughly 37 inches.
Climate scientists at the University of Illinois have been tracking this, and the data is a bit nuanced. They aren't seeing a massive drop in total snowfall over a century, but they are seeing more "volatility." Basically, we get these weirdly dry years followed by years where the lake-effect machine goes into overdrive.
Also, the nights are getting warmer. The minimum temperatures are creeping up faster than the daytime highs. This means that even when it does snow, it doesn't always stick around. We get that "slush-freeze-slush" cycle that turns every side street into a textured ice rink.
Recent Seasonal Totals (O'Hare Station)
- 2024–2025: 17.6 inches
- 2023–2024: 23.4 inches
- 2021–2022: 32.1 inches
- 2020–2021: 40.5 inches
The "Lake Effect" Factor You Can't Ignore
When you’re looking at Chicago snowfall by year, you have to realize that "Chicago" is a big place. The official measurement happens at O'Hare, but if you live in Rogers Park or Evanston, your reality is often totally different.
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Lake-effect snow is a beast. When cold air screams across the relatively "warm" water of Lake Michigan, it picks up moisture and dumps it right on the shoreline. It’s why you can have 2 inches of snow in Naperville and 10 inches in Hyde Park. If you’re planning a move here or just visiting, the closer you are to the lake, the more you need to embrace the "shoveling as a workout" philosophy.
How to Handle the Chicago Snow Cycle
Look, the stats are fun, but the reality is practical. If you're tracking the snowfall because you're worried about the commute or the salt damage to your car, here’s the expert take.
First, ignore the "seasonal averages." They don't matter when a clipper system decides to drop 6 inches during rush hour. Second, the "January Thaw" is a real thing. Almost every year, we get a week where it hits 45°F and everything melts into a gray, salty soup.
Actionable Steps for the Season:
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- Check the "Snow Route" Signs: If there is 2+ inches of snow, the city will tow your car faster than you can say "Deep Dish." If you see those red and white signs, don't park there.
- The "Dibs" Rule: It’s controversial, it’s unofficial, and it’s very Chicago. If you shovel a spot on a public street, people put lawn chairs or old broken TVs in the spot to "save" it. Use this at your own risk—tempers flare when snow is involved.
- Track the "First Trace": On average, we see our first trace of snow by October 30. If you haven't swapped your tires or checked your furnace by Halloween, you're playing a dangerous game.
The data shows that Chicago snowfall by year is anything but consistent. We’ve had winters where the snow barely covered the grass and winters where we had to use bulldozers to clear the streets. Whether we hit that 37-inch average or shatter records again like back in '79, the city always finds a way to dig itself out. Just keep the salt handy and your scraper in the front seat.