If you're curious when you can expect to see snow in Chicago, this post provides details about how much snowfall the Windy City gets during the winter and fall.
- Overview
- Snowfall by Month
- Chrtistmas in Chicago
- Thanksgiving in Chicago
- Chicago Winter Wonderfest
- Best Time to Visit Chicago
Overview
Chicago, located at the southern end of Lake Michigan, is well known for its harsh winters.
On average, Chicago receives about 38 inches (96.5 cm) of snow each winter but with an average temperature of 26 F (-3 C) and the wind from Lake Michigan can sometimes make it feel like it’s Siberia.
Total snowfall can vary considerably year to year with past snowfalls ranging from a low of 9.8 inches (24.9 cm) during the winter of 1920-21 to high of 89.7 inches (227.8 cm) during the winter of 1978-79.
The first trace of snow normally arrives in Chicago around the end of October but has occurred as early as September 25th or as late as December 5th.
The last occurrence of snow normally occurs around April 14th but has occurred in the past as early as March 4th to as late as May 25th.
Overall, about 11-12 days each winter record at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of snow with snowfalls of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or more occurring about 1-2 times each winter.
Major snowstorms are less frequent with 10 inches (25 cm) or more occurring only about once each decade.
Snowfall by Month
November
Snowfall typically falls on 1-2 days during November, with snowfalls of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) occurring about once every other year.
Heavy snowfalls of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or more are rare, occurring about once in ten years. On average, November receives a total of about 2 inches (5 cm) of snow.
Learn more on our post covering what the weather is like in Chicago in November.
December
Chicago normally experiences 7-8 inches of snow during December. Overall, December will typically see about 6 days with snow with 2-3 of these recording at least 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Heavy snowfalls of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or more occur about once every 3 years.
Learn more on our post covering what the weather is like in Chicago in December.
January
The most likely month for snow in Chicago is January with 8-9 days, on average, recording some snow and a total monthly snowfall of about 11-12 inches (28-30.5 cm).
January normally sees 3-4 days with snowfalls of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) and heavy snowfalls of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or more occurring about once every other year.
Learn more on our post covering what the weather is like in Chicago in January.
February
The month of February typically sees 6-7 days with snow and a total monthly snowfall of 10-11 inches (25-28 cm).
You can expect about 3 days with snowfalls of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) and heavy snowfalls of at least 5 inches (12.7 cm) occurring about once every other year.
Learn more on our post covering what the weather is like in Chicago in February.
March
The month of March typically sees about 4 days with snow and a total monthly snowfall of 5-6 inches (13-15 cm).
You can expect about 1-2 days recording at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) but heavy snowfalls of at least 5 inches (12.7 cm) only occur about once every 5 years.
Learn more on our post covering what the weather is like in Chicago in March.
April
April normally sees the end of the winter snow season with an average snow total of 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm).
Snowfalls of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) occur about once every other year and snowfalls of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or more inches are extremely rare.
Learn more on our post covering what the weather is like in Chicago in April.
Fred Pickhardt
