Top 10 Snowiest Winters in Chicago History

These are the ten snowiest winters in Chicago, Illinois history dating back to 1884. The average annual snowfall in Chicago is 38 inches. Each of the ten snowiest winters exceeds the average by over 20 inches but only in three years was the average doubled.

Seven out of the 10 snowiest winters all occurred within the last 50 years and another snowiest winter in Chicago occurred 58 years ago. So out of 126 years of weather data only two snowiest winters occurred prior to 1951-1952.

Most of these snowiest winters occurred from 1964 to 1982. Over that 18 year span Chicago experienced 6 of its all time snowiest winters including its top four snowiest winters.

The two snowiest winters occurred back to back from 1977 to 1979. That must have been some fun time in Chicago.

Ten Snowiest Winters in Chicago History

1) 89.7" in 1978-1979

2) 82.3" in 1977-1978

3) 77" in 1969-1970

4) 68.4" in 1966-1967

5) 66.4" in 1951-1952

6) 64.1" in 1917-1918

7) 60.3" in 2007-2008

8) 59.5" in 1903-1904

8) 59.5" in 1964-1965

10) 59.3" in 1981-1982

For more see Snowiest Winters in New York City History

Snowiest Winters in Washington DC History

Snowiest Winters in Philadelphia History

Chicago Weather Facts and Records

Source:

National Weather Service