Winter and February 2022-2023 Climate Summaries

Overview & Graphics

This past February was a relatively mild and wet one. In fact, for both Chicago and Rockford, it finished as a top ten wettest February. However, most of the precipitation that was seen fell as rain, and observed snow totals across the region finished below normal for the month.

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Precipitation Summary

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Snowfall Summary

Much like February, this past meteorological winter also finished with above normal temperatures and liquid precipitation, but below normal snowfall.

CoCoRaHS Observer Seasonal Precipitation Summary

CoCoRaHS Observer Seasonal Snowfall Summary

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
414 PM CST Wed Mar 1 2023 /514 PM EST Wed Mar 1 2023/

...A Look Back at the Climate for Meteorological Winter (December,
January, February) 2022-2023 for Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 38.5 degrees, which
is 3.9 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was 25.0
degrees, which is 3.4 degrees above normal. The average temperature
for the season was 31.8 degrees, which is 3.7 degrees above normal.
8.59 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded, which is 2.52
inches above normal. 16.8 inches of snow were recorded, which is
12.8 inches below normal.


Records established or tied during the winter months:

December: None

January: None

February:
* Record daily precipitation of 1.20 inches set on the 22nd.
** 8th wettest February on record since 1871 with 3.83 inches of
   precipitation.

No top ten seasonal records were set this past winter.

------------------------------------------------------------------

At Rockford, the average high temperature was 36.1 degrees, which
is 3.8 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was 20.7
degrees, which is 3.2 degrees above normal. The average temperature
for the season was 28.4 degrees, which is 3.5 degrees above normal.
8.42 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded, which is 3.26
inches above normal. 18.2 inches of snow were recorded, which is
10.6 inches below normal.


Records established or tied during the winter months:

December:
* Record daily precipitation of 1.70 inches set on the 14th.

January:
* Record daily snowfall of 4.9 inches set on the 28th.
* Record daily warmest minimum temperature of 33 degrees tied on
  the 19th.

February:
* Record daily precipitation of 1.54 inches set on the 27th.
** 2nd wettest February on record since 1906 with 3.79 inches of
   precipitation.

Seasonal:
** 9th wettest winter on record since 1906 with 8.42 inches of
   precipitation.

$$

Ogorek

Latest Seasonal Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
142 PM CST Wed Mar 1 2023 /242 PM EST Wed Mar 1 2023/

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of February 2023 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 42.2 degrees, which
is 6.5 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
25.5 degrees, which is 3.7 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 33.9 degrees, which is 5.1 degrees
above normal. 3.83 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 1.86 inches above normal. 3.7 inches of snow were
recorded, which is 7.0 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Chicago during the month
of February 2023:
* Record daily precipitation of 1.20 inches on the 22nd.

The following top ten monthly records were also established for
Chicago:
** 8th wettest February on record since 1871 with 3.83 inches of
   precipitation.


At Rockford, the average high temperature was 39.6 degrees, which
is 6.2 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
20.3 degrees, which is 2.5 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 29.9 degrees, which is 4.3 degrees
above normal. 3.79 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 2.16 inches above normal. 3.9 inches of snow were
recorded, which is 4.6 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Rockford during the
month of February 2023:
* Record daily precipitation of 1.54 inches on the 27th.

The following top ten monthly records were also established for
Rockford:
** 2nd wettest February on record since 1906 with 3.79 inches of
   precipitation.

$$

Ogorek

Latest Monthly Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Events

• February 27, 2023: Rare February tornadoes in northern and central Illinois
• February 22-23, 2023: Ice storm across portions of northern Illinois; heavy rainfall farther south
• February 16-17, 2023: Heavy snowfall along the Illinois/Wisconsin border; lighter amounts & light icing elsewhere
• January 28-29, 2023: Heavy snowfall in far northern Illinois; nighttime freezing rain elsewhere
• January 25, 2023: Morning snowfall produces up to around 4" of accumulation
• January 22, 2023: Minor snowfall event produces mainly 1-2" of accumulation
• January 3, 2023: Rare January tornado near Gibson City, IL
• December 22-23, 2022: Powerful Arctic front brings blizzard-like conditions and bitterly cold temperatures
• December 9, 2022: Soaking rain changes to a brief period of heavy, wet snow across northern Illinois

​NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page