The lowest temperature recorded during meteorological winter is −27 ☏ (−33 ☌), set on January 20, 1985. The highest temperature recorded during the meteorological winter months of December, January, and February is 75 ☏ (24 ☌), set on February 27, 1976. There have been streaks of multiple winter seasons without a single subzero reading, yet there have also been winters with 20 or more subzero readings. Temperatures drop to or below 0 ☏ (−18 ☌) on 5.5 nights annually at Midway and 8.2 nights at O'Hare and up to 10–14 nights in some far western and northern suburbs, although subzero (☏) readings in the absence of snow cover are rare. The daily average high temperature in January at O'Hare is 31.0 ☏ (−0.6 ☌) with the average daily low of 16.5 ☏ (−8.6 ☌) and the daily mean of 23.6 ☏ (−4.7 ☌). However, like much of the northern USA, can vary tremendously within the span of one week. However, every three years or so during the winter Chicago experiences a heavier snowstorm that can produce over 10 in (25 cm) of snow over a 1- to 3-day period, a level of snowfall very often seen in cities on the ' snowbelt' on other side of the lake such as Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and South Bend, Indiana. Cities on the other side of Lake Michigan usually receive more snow than Chicago because of the lake-effect snow that falls on these communities, even though northeasterly winds can sometimes bring lake-effect snow to Chicago area too. Most winters produce many snow falls during the season in light accumulations of around 2 in (5.1 cm). Seasonal snowfall in the city has ranged from 9.8 inches (24.9 cm) (in 1920–21) up to 89.7 in (228 cm) (in 1978–79), and the average annual snowfall in Chicago is 36 inches (91 cm).

The city typically sees less snow in winter than other major cities near the Great Lakes, such as Cleveland or Buffalo, but more snow than that experienced on the East Coast in cities like Washington DC or New York City. Winter in Chicago is generally cold and snowy. Source: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point and sun 1961–1990) Note: Some of the addresses prior to 1909 are different from the post-1909 addresses Classifications Chicago Climate according to major climate systemsĬlimate data for Chicago (Midway Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1928–presentĬlimate data for Chicago (O'Hare Int'l Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1871–present Here is a list of official weather observation locations for the Chicago office: DatesĪll records lost due to Great Chicago Fire

Weather data from Midway Airport before July 1, 1942, and after January 16, 1980, and data from O'Hare Airport before January 17, 1980, are not part of the official climate record of Chicago. Both sites have served in the past as the official observation location, the latter being the current official station. Of the two major airports located in Chicago, Midway Airport began observations in 1928, and O'Hare Airport began them in 1958. The National Weather Service office in Chicago has one of the longest periods of official weather records, dating back to 1870, though all the 18 weather records taken at 181 West Washington Street were lost in the Great Chicago Fire.

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