Meteorological Winter 2020-2021 and February 2021 Climate Summary

Overview & Graphics

Snowiest three weeks in Chicago since 1979.

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 (60 days) since the 1978-79 winter. Visualizations of the snowfall accumulation and the frequency of low visibility at Chicago during this active stretch.

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
612 PM CST Mon Mar 1 2021 /712 PM EST Mon Mar 1 2021/

...A Look Back at the Climate for Meteorological Winter (December,
January, February) 2020-2021 for Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature for the winter season
was 33.5 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees below the 1981 to 2010
average. The average low temperature was 21.3 degrees, which is
2.2 degrees above normal. The mean temperature for the season was
27.4 degrees, which is 1.0 degree above normal.

A total of 5.75 inches of precipitation was recorded during this
past winter, which is 0.02 inches below normal. In addition, a
total of 46.3 inches of snow fell, which is 18.2 inches above
normal.

Records established or tied during the winter months:

December: None.

January:
** 10th snowiest January on record since 1871 with 21.9 inches of
   snow.

February:
* Record daily lowest maximum temperature of 4 degrees on the
  14th.
* Record daily snowfall of 6.1 inches on the 15th.
** 9th snowiest February on record since 1871 with 21.6 inches of
   snow.

There were no top ten seasonal records set for Chicago during
this past meteorological winter.



At Rockford, the average high temperature for the winter season
was 32.1 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees below the 1981 to 2010
average. The average low temperature was 17.0 degrees, which is
0.7 degrees above normal. The mean temperature for the season was
24.5 degrees, which is 0.3 degrees above normal.

A total of 4.61 inches of precipitation was recorded during this
past winter, which is 0.15 inches below normal. In addition, a
total of 32.8 inches of snow fell, which is 3.6 inches above
normal.

Records established or tied during the winter months:

December:
* Record daily maximum temperature of 55 degrees on the 9th.
* Tied record daily maximum temperature of 57 degrees on the 10th.
* Record daily maximum temperature of 62 degrees on the 23rd.

January: None.

February:
* Record daily lowest maximum temperature of 1 degree on the
  14th.
** 6th coldest February on record since 1905 with a mean average
   temperature of 15.6 degrees.

There were no top ten seasonal records set for Rockford during
this past meteorological winter.

$$

Latest Seasonal Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
207 PM CST Mon Mar 1 2021 /307 PM EST Mon Mar 1 2021/

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of February 2021 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 27.4 degrees, which
is 7.9 degrees below normal. The average low temperature was 13.0
degrees, which is 7.1 degrees below normal. The average
temperature for the month was 20.2 degrees, which is 7.5 degrees
below normal. During the month of February, 1.25 inches of
precipitation were recorded, which is 0.54 inches below normal.
21.6 inches of snow fell, which is 12.5 inches above normal.

Two daily records for Chicago were set during the month of
February 2021:
* Record daily lowest maximum temperature of 4 degrees on the
  14th.
* Record daily snowfall of 6.1 inches on the 15th.

One Top Ten Monthly Record:
** 9th snowiest February on record since 1871 with 21.6 inches of
 snow.

At Rockford, the average high temperature was 23.8 degrees, which
is 10.4 degrees below normal. The average low temperature was
7.4 degrees, which is 10.3 degrees below normal. The average
temperature for the month was 15.6 degrees, which is 10.3 degrees
below normal. During the month of February, 0.81 inches of
precipitation were recorded, which is 0.60 inches below normal.
9.2 inches of snow fell, which is 1.5 inches above normal.

One daily record for Rockford was set during the month of
February 2021:
* Record daily lowest maximum temperature of 1 degree on the
  14th.

One Top Ten Monthly Record:
** 6th coldest February on record since 1905 with a mean average
   temperature of 15.6 degrees.

$$

Latest Monthly Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

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

For more, see the ​NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page