Chicago Records Snowiest Start to Winter Since 1978 After Weekend Storm

Chicagoans woke up Sunday morning to a winter wonderland that has already surpassed expectations—and nearly eclipsed last year’s entire snow total.

As much as five inches of fresh snow blanketed the city by early Sunday, bringing the season’s accumulation to 17.1 inches. That’s just half an inch shy of the 17.6 inches that fell during the entirety of last winter, and we’re not even to the winter solstice yet.

According to the National Weather Service, this marks the snowiest start to the “snowfall season” since 1978-79, when a record 89.7 inches eventually fell on the city. Whether this winter will approach those legendary totals remains to be seen, but the early returns have winter weather enthusiasts buzzing—and commuters groaning.

A Nine-Day Onslaught

The weekend storm capped a remarkable nine-day stretch that has dumped 15.4 inches on the Chicago area, making it the snowiest nine-day period since 2021. O’Hare International Airport, which serves as the official recording station for Chicago’s weather statistics, has logged 6.7 inches in December alone.

“We’ve been busy,” said Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard, whose department has deployed more than 300 plows across the city since Friday evening. “Our crews have been working around the clock to keep the main arterials clear, but we’re asking residents to be patient as we work through the side streets.”

The city has used approximately 12,000 tons of salt over the past week, already denting the 400,000-ton stockpile that officials assembled before winter began. At this pace, the city may need to order additional supplies before January.

Travel Disruptions Mount

Both O’Hare and Midway airports experienced significant delays throughout the weekend, with some flights canceled and others running hours behind schedule. Airlines advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to arrive early given the treacherous road conditions.

The CTA reported sporadic delays on elevated lines, particularly the Blue and Green lines, where ice accumulation on third rails slowed service. Bus routes operated on weather-related detours in several neighborhoods where steep grades made roads impassable.

Metra commuter rail service fared somewhat better, with most lines running close to schedule by Sunday afternoon. Officials credited improved snow removal equipment and preventive maintenance for keeping the trains moving.

Old-Timers Remember

For Chicagoans of a certain age, the comparison to 1978-79 evokes memories of the infamous “Blizzard of ‘79” that buried the city and helped doom Mayor Michael Bilandic’s re-election campaign. That storm, which struck in January 1979, paralyzed the city for days and became a defining moment in Chicago political history.

“I was 12 years old, and I remember my dad couldn’t get the car out of the garage for three days,” recalled Tom Reilly, 58, of Edison Park, as he shoveled his sidewalk Sunday morning. “We’re not there yet, but if we keep getting storms like this, who knows?”

Jane Byrne, who defeated Bilandic in the aftermath of the blizzard, made snow removal a cornerstone of her administration. The current administration has been careful to emphasize its preparedness.

“We’ve learned the lessons of the past,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement Saturday evening. “Our crews are deployed, our salt supplies are adequate, and we’re monitoring conditions around the clock.”

What’s Next

The National Weather Service forecasts a brief respite early this week, with temperatures rising into the mid-30s and no significant precipitation expected through Wednesday. However, another system is being monitored for late in the week that could bring additional snow.

“This is looking like an active pattern,” said NWS meteorologist Amy Seeley. “The jet stream is positioned to funnel moisture from the Great Lakes right over northeastern Illinois. When that happens, you tend to see above-average snowfall.”

For residents who haven’t yet winterized their homes and vehicles, experts recommend doing so immediately. The Chicago Fire Department also urged residents to check their heating equipment and ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning, as house fires and CO poisonings typically spike during cold snaps.

Local hardware stores reported brisk sales of shovels, ice melt, and windshield scrapers throughout the weekend.

“We sold out of our entire shovel inventory by noon Saturday,” said Marcus Chen, manager of the Ace Hardware in Lincoln Square. “We’ve got another shipment coming Tuesday, but at this rate, I’m not sure how long they’ll last.”

The winter of 2025-26 is just getting started. Buckle up, Chicago.