Worst Winter Storms in Chicagoland History

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Downtown Chicago with snowfall

In honor of winter storm season let's take a look back at some of the worst snow/winter storms that have hit the Chicagoland Area. 

January 2011

In January of 2011 Chicago was hit with 21.2 inches of snow over a 3 day span. Along with the snow there was also 35mph winds, and even a tornado was reported south of the storm! This storm would go on to be remembered as the "Groundhog Day Blizzard" because it stretched from Jan. 31st through Feb 2nd. 

January 1979

In some parts of Chicago snow piled up almost 29 inches with at least 23 inches of recorded snow fall. This storm also "plowed the way" for Chicago's first woman to become Mayor after Michael Bilandic was fired because he didn't get the plows out fast enough. 

Chiberia 2019

In January of 2019 a polar vortex made it's way through Chicago, which at the time of the vortex made Chicago colder than it was in Antarctica. With the wind chill the tempetures got down to about -50 degrees Fahrenheit.