Was there a blizzard in Chicago in 1978?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 28, 2026
The city has so far recorded more than 40 inches for the season following a massive snowstorm that dumped as much as 18 inches on some parts of Chicago, less at O'Hare Airport. In the 1978-79 winter season, however, the city recorded 89.7 inches of snow.
How much snow did Chicago get in the Blizzard of 79?
The Chicago blizzard of 1979 was a major blizzard that affected northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on January 13–14, 1979. It was one of the largest Chicago snowstorms in history at the time, with 21 inches (53 cm) of snowfall in the two-day period.How much snow did Chicago get in 1978?
The notorious winter of 1978-1979 remains the snowiest we've seen, with 89.7 inches falling. The year before saw 82.3 inches, according to the National Weather Service. As of Tuesday morning, Chicago is at 43.9 inches this winter at O'Hare Airport, the official measuring location in Chicago.What years did Chicago have blizzards?
Chicago Weather Alert: The Worst Snowstorms In Chicago History
- 23.0 inches Jan 26-27, 1967.
- 21.6 inches Jan 1-3, 1999.
- 21.2 inches Feb. 1-2, 2011.
- 20.3 inches Jan 13-14, 1979.
- 19.3 inches Feb. 1-2, 2015.
- 19.2 inches Mar 25-26, 1930.
- 16.2 inches Mar 7-8, 1931.
- 15.0 inches Dec 17-20, 1929.
What was the worst blizzard in Chicago?
The Chicago blizzard of 1967 struck northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana on January 26–27, 1967, with a record-setting 23 inches (58 cm) snow fall in Chicago and its suburbs before the storm abated the next morning. As of 2022, it remains the greatest snowfall in one storm in Chicago history.The Blizzard of 1978
What were the worst blizzards in Chicago?
26-27, 1967) — Chicago's largest. Snow began falling at 5:02 a.m. on Jan. 26, 1967, and didn't stop until a record-breaking 23 inches had accumulated the next day, according to the National Weather Service, making it the worst snowstorm recorded in Chicago history.When was the biggest snow storm in Chicago?
On January 26 and 27, 1967, Chicago endured its worst snowstorm on record. The snow started at 502 AM on the 26th, and by 1010 AM of the 27th a record 23 inches of snow crippled the city. The previous record snow for the city was 19 inches on March 25th and 26th, 1930.What was the worst winter in Chicago history?
Extreme cold and heavy snow combined to make the winter of 1978-79 Chicago's worst ever. With a season's total of 89.7 inches, it was the snowiest ever, and the average temperature of 18.4 degrees was the city's second-coldest, runner-up to 1903-04 by a scant one-tenth of a degree.What was the coldest winter in Chicago history?
Chicago's coldest recorded temperature took place Jan. 20, 1985, at minus 27 degrees. Many of the city's other lowest recorded temperatures came from arctic snaps in 1872 and 1899. The record number of days with a temperature below zero was in 1912 with 10.Who got the most snow in the blizzard of 78?
In 1978, one of the worst blizzards in recent memory crippled the Atlantic seaboard. Between February 5th and February 7th, 1978, Boston received a record 27” of snow, while Providence, R.I., did Beantown half an inch better, at 27.6”. Atlantic City, N.J. also broke an all-time record with 20” of snow.What areas were affected by the Blizzard of 1978?
The Northeastern United States blizzard of 1978 was a catastrophic, historic nor'easter that struck New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. The Blizzard of '78 formed on Sunday, February 5, 1978, and broke up on February 7.Where did the blizzard of 1977 hit?
The ground blizzard of 1977 occurred in western New York and southern Ontario between January 28 and February 1, 1977. It is considered one of the worst snowstorms of all time considering the wind gust and the amount of snowfall.What is the most snow ever recorded in Illinois?
However, snowfall amounts in the last 6 winters have been more variable with the winter of 2014 being about as snowy as the late 1970s. The snowiest winter on record was 1979 with 44.5 inches.
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Snowfall Trends
- 1979 with 44.5 inches.
- 1978 with 44.4 inches.
- 1912 with 39.5 inches.
- 2014 with 39.4 inches.
- 1960 with 38.6 inches.