Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

Stats and visualizations of the active winter stretch in Chicago from late January through mid-February

Snowiest three weeks since 1979	Chicago O'Hare snowfall accumulation	Chicago O'Hare frequently low visibility
This winter also experienced nine consecutive days (Feb 8-16) with measurable snowfall in Chicago, tying the record for the most with February 3-11, 2018. This winter had the longest stretch of a foot or more of snow cover since the 1978-79 winter for both Chicago (15 days) and Rockford (19 days). This also was the longest stretch of 4+" of snow cover at Rockford since the 1978-79 winter.

Winter 2020-2021 Events

February 14-16, 2021: Heavy snow including lake effect brings a foot plus to all of the city of Chicago; caps off record three weeks

February 12-13, 2021: Widespread 2-4" with lake enhanced in northwest Indiana up to 8"

February 8-9, 2021: Multiple light to moderate snow events bring 2-5"

February 4-5, 2021: Wind gusts over 40 mph bring widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions at times

January 30-31, 2021: Widespread 6-13" of snow brings Chicago its largest snow event in five years

January 25-26, 2021: Snow event brings 5 to 8 inches of snow to parts of the I-88 corridor and Chicago

January 19, 2021: Snow squall moves over part of the Chicago area producing intense snowfall rates

January 3-5, 2021: Multiple days with rime ice, hoar frost, and "smoke stack" snow

January 1, 2021: Wintry system brings up to 3" of snow for the Chicago metro and over 1/4" of ice accumulation farther south

December 29-30, 2020: Snow and ice event, with 6" to 8" in Winnebago County

November 24, 2020: First measurable snow of the winter season for many with totals up to 3"

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Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

2020-2021 Winter Events and an Active Three Weeks in Perspective